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Body of Key Witness in Unnao Case Exhumed, Family Alleges Pressure

Survivor’s uncle alleged that Yunus, a key witness in Unnao rape case against BJP MLA, might have been poisoned. 

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The body of Yunus, a key witness in the Unnao rape case who died recently, was exhumed on Saturday, 25 August, officials said.

"The body of Yunus was exhumed tonight and it was sent for post-mortem examination. The body was exhumed in presence of Qazi sahab (religious leader)," Unnao Additional District Magistrate BN Yadav told PTI.

On Saturday, district authorities met relatives of the witness seeking consent to exhume his body for a post-mortem examination.

Yunus was a witness in the case registered after the death of the father of a minor who was alleged rape by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar.

The rape victim's father had died in April after being beaten up, allegedly by Sengar's brother and others. The survivor's uncle had alleged foul play after the death of Yunus last week.

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He Died of Liver Ailment: Family

Meanwhile in Lucknow, the family members of Yunus wanted to meet Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

"The family members of Yunus had come to Lucknow and were adamant about meeting the CM and getting inside his residence. Police have taken them to Hazratganj Police Station, so their grievances can be heard, and the district concerned be informed about it," SHO Gautampalli Police Station Vijay Pandey said.

The man’s family, however, said he had died due to a liver ailment for which he was being treated. Sub-divisional magistrates from Hasanganj and Unnao Sadar met the family members on Saturday, officials said.

Jaan Mohammad, brother of Yunus, told reporters at the district collectorate that the family was against exhumation. "The administration is building pressure on us. We do not want the post-mortem examination to be done as it is against our Shariat," he had earlier said.

Yunus had claimed to have seen the rape victim's father being beaten up by the brother of the BJP MLA.

The victim's uncle had written to the police demanding a post-mortem examination. Earlier, the police had said the family members had submitted medical prescriptions, indicating the man was undergoing treatment for liver cirrhosis.

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His brothers had claimed the victim’s uncle said they would get Rs 10-12 lakh if they agree to the post- mortem examination.

Witness Was Poisoned: Uncle of Rape Survivor

Last week, the rape survivor’s uncle had demanded for the witness’ body to be exhumed after it was buried without autopsy.

The survivor’s uncle had alleged that Yunus might have been poisoned and sought family’s permission for a post-mortem.

“He was the main witness in the assault case and it is beyond understanding how did he die all of a sudden,” he had told TOI.

Speaking to ANI, SP Harish Kumar said that the wife of the witness had said that he was suffering from a liver disease since 2012.

Wife of the witness said in an application that he was suffering from a liver disease since 2012, and the doctors said  a month ago, that there are no chances of his survival. 
SP Harish Kumar, Unnao SP
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According to the neighbours, Yunus’ body was buried without informing the police, TOI reported.

The uncle, in his application to the police had alleged that Sengar and his men wanted to eliminate the witnesses. “I, therefore, urge you to register an FIR and instruct the Makhi police station to initiate legal action,” the application read, as reported by TOI.

In April this year, a woman from Unnao accused BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar of having raped her when she was a minor. She staged a protest in front of the Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s house, urging action. After her protest, UP police took her father into police custody where he allegedly died after being subjected to police brutality.

(With inputs from TOI and PTI)

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