Unnao rape victim's accident: UP Police decides to hand over probe to CBI

The Uttar Pradesh Police have decided to hand over the case related to a road accident of the Unnao rape victim, that took place in Rae Bareli on Sunday, amid a massive political pressure, according to sources. In the accident, two women died and a teenager, who was allegedly raped by BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar two years ago, got injured and is in a critical condition. The teen's mother said the accident was meant to "eliminate" her daughter and that Kuldeep Sengar was plotting against them from jail.

The decision to refer the case to the central investigating agency was taken after the Uttar Pradesh police on Monday filed a murder case against Sengar and nine others after the Unnao rape survivor's family filed a complaint, alleging "conspiracy" behind the Sunday's car crash, as the opposition leaders and civil society expressed anguish and outrage over the entire incident.

The FIR was filed a day after the car in which the 19-year old rape survivor, her family and lawyer were travelling was hit by an overspeeding truck in Rae Bareli, killing two members and leaving her and the advocate critically injured.

Sengar, a four-time MLA from UP's Bangermau, is an accused in the rape case and was arrested last year in April.

Apart from evoking sharp reactions from Congress leaders --Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra-- and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee who attacked the BJP government, the incident was also raised in Parliament with Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav alleging that an attempt was made to "kill" the rape victim, leading to brief adjournment of Rajya Sabha.

Yadav said the security personnel provided to her was not with the victim at the time of the accident and registration plate of the truck involved was covered with grease.

"FIR has been registered under the Indian Penal Code's sections 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), 506 (criminal intimidation), 120b (criminal conspiracy) against 10 named persons, including the BJP MLA, and 15-20 others," a police officer said.

It was registered at the Gurubuxganj police station in Raebareli, police said. The case was registered on a complaint from the rape survivor's uncle Mahesh Singh, who is lodged in the Raebareli jail, police said.

He alleged that the MLA got the car hit on Sunday. "I am sure that the car was hit for killing all of them by the BJP MLA and his men," Singh said in his complaint.

The mother of the victim, speaking to reporters in Unnao had alleged: "It was not an accident but a conspiracy to eliminate all of us."

Talking to reporters, District Magistrate, Raebareli, Neha Sharma said, "I myself with SP visited the Raebareli jail and met Mahesh Sharma. He had given application for parole and as he is resident of Unnao it has been forwarded to the Unnao DM."

"He also gave two other applications. One for registration of FIR on which it has already been registered and the other for CBI probe into the matter. This application has been forwarded to Principal Secretary, Home," Sharma added.

The UP government is ready for a CBI probe into the accident involving the Unnao rape victim, if a request is made, Director General of Police OP Singh said earlier in the day.

"The truck was over-speeding and it was raining also. Prima facie, appears to be an accident, but a detailed unbiased probe is on in the matter," Singh told reporters in Lucknow.

"The state government is ready for recommending a CBI probe into the Sunday's mishap in Rae Bareli if the victim's mother or any relative makes any request in this regard," Singh said.

Besides the BJP legislator, his brother Manoj Singh Sengar, Vinod Mishra, Haripal Singh, Naveen Singh, Komal Singh, Arun Singh, Gyandendra Singh, Rinku Singh and Awadhesh Singh have been named in the FIR.

According to Dr Sandeep Tiwar, Incharge of Trauma Centre (KGMU), the condition of the survivor and his lawyer Mahendra Singh is "critical and both of them are on ventilator".

Tagging a media report of the accident, Rahul Gandhi tweeted,"Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao. A new special education bulletin for Indian women. Don't ask questions if a BJP MLA is accused of having raped you."

While, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra described the incident as shocking, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav sought a CBI probe.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Commission For Women chief Swati Maliwal met the Unnao rape survivor at a Lucknow hospital and said she should be airlifted to Delhi for better treatment as she is "critical". She also wrote a letter to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in this connection.

While asking the state police to ensure a free, fair and speedy probe in the case, NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma said a team of the Commission will visit the victim and her family members in Unnao on Tuesday.

In a tweet, BSP supremo Mayawati said, "her (the rape victim's) maternal and paternal aunts were killed and she herself and her advocate are seriously injured. The Supreme Court need to take cognizance of the matter and ensure strict action."

Banerjee urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to form a high-level inquiry committee to probe the survivor's accident, while her Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal described it as a "pre-planned conspiracy" and that the incident is a "mockery of the law".

Unnao Superintendent of Police MP Verma said that one gunner and two women constables have been assigned round-the-clock duty for the safety of the survivor and her family, but they were not present at the time of the accident.

"An inquiry has been ordered to look into the reasons as to why the security personnel were not present with her and action will be taken after getting a report," Verma said.

A police team that rushed to the spot in Rae Bareli after the accident found that the truck's registration plate scrubbed and painted black, but they could retrieve the registration number UP 71 AT 8300, a police official said.

The truck has a Fatehpur district registration plate, Lucknow Zone ADG Rajeev Krishna said. When asked if the registration plate was tampered with, Krishna said it will be sent for forensic checks to ascertain the facts.

Teams from Lucknow have reached Rae Bareli for investigation. Meanwhile, another BJP leaders Sakshi Maharaj, who courted controversy in June when he went to meet Sengar in Jail to "thank him" for party's victory in Lok Sabha elections, refused to comment on the MLA being charged with murder.