The family of the Unnao rape survivor, who was critically injured in a road accident, on Tuesday began a protest outside the the King George's Medical University in Lucknow, where she is being treated.
The survivor had alleged in 2018 that BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar had raped her. After weeks of nationwide protests, Sengar was arrested in the case in April 2018.
Two aunts of the Unnao survivor died of injuries sustained when the car they were travelling in to Rae Bareli was hit by a truck on Sunday. The survivor and her lawyer were critically injured and placed on ventilator support on Monday evening, according to hospital authorities.
On Tuesday morning, news agency ANI reported that the Unnao rape survivor's family had commenced a protest outside the King George's Medical University demanding the punishment of Kuldeep Singh Sengar “as soon as possible”.
The family also wanted the release of the survivor's uncle, Mahesh Singh. Singh was convicted earlier in the month for assaulting Kuldeep Singh Sengar's brother. On Monday, the Unnao rape survivor's mother had told mediapersons she believed there was a “conspiracy” to wipe out the family to derail the case against Sengar.
Meanwhile, local media reports claim the survivor's family has refused to conduct the last rites of one of her aunts who died in the Sunday accident. The family are demanding the release on parole of Mahesh Singh for the funeral.
Political protests
The opposition Congress announced it would stage a sit-in-protest outside the BJP office in Lucknow over the Unnao case accident. Congress activists had launched an all-night protest outside the Gandhi Statue near the General Post Office. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav is expected to visit the Unnao survivor's family later on Monday.
Govt seeks CBI probe
On Monday night, the Uttar Pradesh government recommended a CBI probe into the road accident on Sunday that left the Unnao rape survivor critically injured. Principal Secretary (Home) Arvind Kumar said in a statement that a formal request for it has been sent to the Government of India.
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"The government has decided to refer the investigation of case crime number 305/2019 u/s 302/307/506/120 B IPC PS Gurbuxganj Distt Raebareli to the CBI. A formal request has been sent to Government of India in this regard," he said.
(With inputs from PTI, Puja Awasthi)