The legal noose seems to be tightening around BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar, the main accused in the Unnao rape case, and his fate will now depend on the report of the UP Police's special investigation team (SIT). The SIT is likely to submit its report by Wednesday evening.
The primary defence the BJP has adopted in the case has been that, so far, Sengar's name had not figured in the FIR—whether it was the alleged rape of the victim or the custodial death of her father.
But after the self-immolation bid by the victim in front of the residence of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on April 8, the matter has created a virtual ruckus and had put the ruling government on the back foot.
As news about the case became viral, it compelled the Adityanath government to take some action against the accused. As the first step, the government formed an SIT to probe the matter and the police quickly arrested Atul Sengar, the MLA's brother, on Tuesday.
With the formation of the SIT and the Allahabad High Court taking suo motto cognisance of the matter on Wednesday, problems are becoming acute for the accused MLA and his family. The Supreme Court, too, has agreed to hear a petition in which a lawyer had demanded a CBI probe against the accused and compensation for the victim’s family. The High Court will take up the matter on Thursday.
If the SIT sleuths who have gone to the village of the victim name the BJP MLA in their investigation, then the coming days will be difficult for him. Kuldeep’s problems are also increasing with a recording of a phone conversation between him and the victim’s family members becoming viral. The last audio recording of the victim’s father clearly states that he was assaulted by Kuldeep's brother and other accomplices. These types of evidence may put Kuldeep in further trouble.
The SIT, which has been functioning under ADG Rajiv Krishna, a senior police officer, has already made it clear that there is no pressure on them and it will not hesitate in questioning even the accused MLA if his involvement is found in any way in the case.
Meanwhile, Kuldeep's wife, Sangeeta Sengar, too has jumped into the fray to save her husband. She has demanded a narco test for her husband to ascertain the truth. She alleged “there is no evidence against her husband and still he is being termed a rapist.”