SC orders transfer of Unnao cases to Delhi, directs ₹25 lakh solatium to survivor

The Supreme Court, on Thursday, ordered that all five Unnao cases be shifted to New Delhi and directed the authorities to pay a compensation ₹25 lakh by Friday.

The Apex Court also ordered that the hearing of the trial in the case be conducted on a day-to-day basis. Further, it mandated the government to provide CRPF cover to the kith and kin of the survivor.

Earlier in the day, the BJP expelled the accused MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar. This came a day after he and ten others were booked on charges of murder.

Prior to that, in line with the directions of the Supreme Court, the joint director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) rushed to the Apex Court to provide an update on the status of the Unnao cases.

All these developments took place after the bench led by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, began hearing the case in connection with the letter written by the Unnao rape survivor stating that BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar had threatened her.

It had on Wednesday (July 31) taken cognizance of the letter written by the Unnao rape survivor alleging threat to her life.

The Apex Court also sought a report from its secretary general as to why a letter written by the Unnao rape survivor to Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, apprehending threat to her life, was not placed before him.

“Unfortunately, the letter is yet to see the light of the day and the newspapers flashed it as if I have already read the letter,” Justice Gogoi said.

Also read: CBI books BJP MLA Sengar, 10 others in Unnao case 

The observations came when senior lawyer V Giri, who is assisting the court as an amicus curiae in child rape cases, sought the urgent listing of the Unnao rape case. The court also asked the Uttar Pradesh authorities to file a status report by Thursday on the accident of the Unnao rape case victim.

The 19-year-old woman, who was allegedly raped two years ago by BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar at his residence in Unnao, was critically injured in a car crash on Sunday (July 28). Her family has pointed fingers at BJP lawmaker Kuldeep Singh Sengar, the main accused in the rape case. She was travelling with her family when their car was hit by a speeding truck in the northern states Rae Bareli district.

Two of her family members were killed in the accident while her lawyer also sustained serious injuries. The woman’s family has filed a complaint alleging “conspiracy” behind the car crash.

A three-member team of CBI visited to the site of the accident in Raebareli for further investigation. The CBI will be questioning Kuldeep Singh Sengar and the gunman (given to the victim for her protection).

Samajwadi Party Chief and former UP CM Akhilesh Yadav said that he met the Unnao rape survivor’s family, and that they are in immense pain.

When asked on the name of his son-in-law included in the FIR by CBI in the case, UP Minister Ranvendra Pratap Singh said, “CBI is investigating the matter. Everything will be clear in the investigation. He is my relative there is no doubt it, but that is not a crime.”

Unnao issue rocks Lok Sabha

Several opposition parties, including the Congress, walked out of Lok Sabha on Wednesday demanding a reply from the government on the alleged attempt of life on the Unnao rape survivor. Leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury raised the issue, saying Union home minister Amit Shah has not responded to the issue despite the opposition raking up the matter repeatedly. He said though a CBI probe is on, the family members of the survivor have claimed that they face a threat to life. Later, Congress, DMK, NCP and IUML members walked out.

Also read: Priyanka leads Opposition attack on BJP over Unnao issue

Congress leader Sonia Gandhi too walked out. N K Premchandran (RSP) also walked out over an alleged incident of a person being burnt alive in Uttar Pradesh.

On Sunday, the car in which the 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.