The girl has accused the state of harassing her and her family, and says she is under pressure to withdraw rape case against BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar.
New Delhi: Taking suo motu cognisance of media reports that the Uttar Pradesh government has ‘harassed’ the Unnao rape victim, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has said this is a serious violation of the victim’s right to live with dignity.
The victim, a minor, has accused the state government of harassing her and her family members after a case was filed against her for producing a ‘forged’ age certificate to prove she was a minor.
She also said she was under pressure to withdraw the case against BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar, who continues to be in the BJP even as he remains in prison.
Speaking to reporters in Unnao Thursday, the victim said: “All the government agencies have been set upon us. We are receiving threats every day and are being told to withdraw the case against Kuldeep Singh Sengar. It is unbelievable that a rapist is so powerful that he is manipulating the law from the prison.”
Sengar, a four-time MLA who represents Bangermau in the UP legislative assembly, was arrested on 13 April after the girl accused him of raping her at his house on 4 June last year.
The case came to light after the victim allegedly attempted self-immolation outside Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s residence seeking justice. The father of the victim died in police custody, allegedly after being assaulted by Sengar’s men.
Also read: Unnao rape case: BJP MLA booked for minor’s rape, probe handed over to CBI
‘Ensure her safety’
The NHRC Friday observed that it is the responsibility of the state to ensure the safety of the victim, her family members, as well as the witnesses.
The commission said its earlier directions asking the government to ensure the safety of the victim appear to have been ignored, otherwise, the recent reports of harassment would not have come to the fore. The commission has therefore directed the chief secretary of Uttar Pradesh to look into the issue, and ensure that the victim’s family is not subjected to any further harassment or humiliation by the accused local MLA through his aides or in any manner.
The NHRC also called for detailed reports from the chief secretary and the director-general of police on the allegations of daily threats to the victim, asking them to respond within four days.
Others one cannot say but at least the CS and the DGP should be true to their salt.