SIT to probe BJP MLA of rape charge, death of victim's father
Lucknow, April 10: The Uttar Pradesh Police on Tuesday set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to look into a girl's accusations of gang rape against a BJP legislator and the subsequent death of her father in police custody, officials said.
Confirming this, Additional Director General (ADG) Law and Order Anand Kumar told that the SIT, which will be headed by the SP (Crime) of Lucknow, will look "into the entire gamut of allegations... from the beginning of the issue in June last year (which is when the 18-year-old first complained of rape by Unnao MLA Kuldeep Singh Senger)".
Informed sources said that hugely embarrassed by the developments, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has rolled out a damage control action plan which included ordering the SIT probe, arrest of the BJP legislator's brother and a parallel magisterial inquiry.
The police has suspended six officers, including station house officer of Makhi and five constables, and arrested Senger's brother Atul Singh and four of his aides -- Baua, Vineet, Shailu and Sonu.
Atul Singh was arrested on Tuesday over charges of beating Pappu Singh, the girl's father, to death in police custody, an official said.
The arrest was made in Kanpur based on the orders of the Director General of Police (DGP) O.P. Singh, the official added.
Pappu Singh was being forced to withdraw the case against the MLA. Upon his refusal, he was picked up by the police late on Sunday and was allegedly roughed up by Atul Singh and his aides while in custody.
He was taken to the district hospital with 18 wounds and gashes, abdominal pain and vomiting. He died soon after.
The incident triggered a political storm and public outrage in the state, forcing the police to suspend the six officials. A magisterial probe has also been ordered by the district administration.
Adityanath has also asked Additional Director General of Police (Lucknow) Rajeev Krishna to investigate the matter and has promised stern action against all perpetrators. He said no one, however mighty, will be spared.
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Will Champai Soren become a game-changer for BJP in Jharkhand polls?
Ranchi: Champai Soren, a prominent figure in Jharkhand’s statehood movement, is contesting the 2024 assembly elections from Seraikela, a seat he has consistently held since 1991.
However, there is a surprising shift in his political journey this year. Having resigned from the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) earlier this year, Soren is now representing the BJP, a move that could significantly impact the electoral dynamics in the state.
Soren’s switiching is seen as a strategic benefit for the saffron party, which has been working to expand its appeal among Jharkhand’s tribal communities, a demographic traditionally aligned with the JMM. His departure from the JMM, led by Shibu Soren and his son Hemant Soren, was fueled by dissatisfaction with the state government’s policies, which he claimed had failed to address tribal concerns.
Also known as "Jharkhand’s Tiger" for his instrumental role in the statehood movement of the 1990s, Champai Soren has respect and influence among tribal voters. His decision to switch the party could be a turning point in the BJP’s efforts to gain a stronger hold in a state where tribal votes often decide the outcome.
