Unnao BJP MLA’s Brother Held for Death of Rape Survivor’s Father

Three other persons were also arrested in connection with the case.

BJP legislator from Unnao Kuldeep Singh Sengar talks to press after meeting Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow on Monday.

Photo: IANS

A day after the father of the Unnao rape survivor died in jail, the brother of BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar, against whom the survivor’s family has leveled allegations of rape, has been arrested.

Atul Singh, his brother, was arrested by the police in connection with the death of the survivor’s father. Three other persons were also arrested in connection to the case.

Addressing a press briefing after the arrests, the ADG Law and Order Anand Kumar said that an SIT had been formed to probe the case.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) will be formed to probe all allegations related to the Unnao matter. Investigation is being done and action will definitely be taken.

Anand Kumar, ADG Law and Order

Elaborating on the post-mortem report, Kumar also said that the woman’s father had died of internal bleeding caused by a ‘colon perforation’.

The postmortem report states ‘cause of death shock and septicemia due to peritonitis and ascending colon perforation’.

The woman had earlier claimed her family had received death threats in the past, accusing the MLA of killing her father. He was "killed at the behest of the BJP MLA" inside the jail, she alleged. "We were getting threats and they killed my father," she told reporters.

According to a Times of India report, Atul and his aides had barged into the woman’s house on 3 April and beat up her father as a threat to keep her from filing a complaint.

However, the family approached the Makhi police to register an FIR. The FIR lodged on 4 April incidentally did not name Atul as an accused, despite the woman’s father allegedly having named him, reported TOI.

Moreover, the Makhi police also registered a counter-FIR against the father calling him a ‘listed criminal’, with the court sending him to a 14-day judicial custody.

Meanwhile, coming under fire, Chief Minister Adityanath has sought a report into the custodial death. According to UP Power Minister Shrikant Sharma, a magisterial probe had also been ordered.

The Unnao SP said six policemen, including SHO, Makhi, Ashok Kumar Singh, an outpost in charge and four beat constables were suspended.