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Unnao minor’s rape case: Accused BJP MLA yet to be arrested, Case handed to CBI

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8 years ago

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Unnao minor's rape case: Accused BJP MLA yet to be arrested, Case handed to CBI

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Uttar Pradesh (UP) Police have finally registered a case against BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar for rape of a minor (17-year-old) girl last year.

However, the accused MLA has not been arrested yet.

The girl had tried self-immolation in front of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath‘s residence after failing to get justice. At this, the UP police arrested her father who later died in police custody on Monday.

As the case got wide media coverage leading to massive outrage, putting the BJP on the defensive, on Wednesday night the Adityanath government ordered to hand over the twin cases of rape and the custodial death of the victim’s father to the CBI.

The accused MLA, Kuldeep Singh Sengar, was then booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in a FIR registered at Unnao’s Makhi Police Station on Thursday morning, said media reports.

On Thursday, UP police chief, Director General of Police (DGP) OP Singh, addressing a conference with Principal Secretary (Home) Arvind Kumar, said that if Sengar was to be arrested, it would be done by the CBI and not UP Police. “Now that the case has been given to CBI, they will decide on arrest,” said Singh.

“Meanwhile, the SIT constituted will continue to work till the time the CBI takes over the case,” he said.

“Nobody is defending the honourable MLA, all we are saying is that we have to hear both sides,” he said. “He has only been accused so far and not convicted,” he added.

Also present in the media conference was the home secretary of the state, Arvind Kumar, who accused UP police of being “negligent”. “The state police has been lax in carrying out investigation so far,” said Kumar.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1523523927220{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;background-color: #a2b1bf !important;border-radius: 10px !important;}”]Voices of criticism of Adityanath government have started coming from within the BJP. BJP media panelist Deepti Bhardwaj has called the state government’s action shameful and appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah to redeem the reputation of the BJP and its government.[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html css=”.vc_custom_1523523978524{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;background-color: #a2b1bf !important;border-radius: 10px 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[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]The decision to handover the case to the CBI was taken late on Wednesday, hours after the BJP MLA made a dramatic appearance before the police but refused to surrender. Alongside, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted under Additional Director General of Police (Lucknow zone) to look into the matter submitted its report to the government.

The SIT also submitted a video that purportedly shows the girl’s father saying he was assaulted by Sengar’s brother Atul in the presence of police, reported The Indian Express (IE). On Tuesday, Sengar’s brother Atul was the fifth person arrested in connection with the brutal assault on the girl’s father that led to his death the day before.

Apart from the SIT report submitted by Lucknow ADG Rajeev Krishna, the government received two other enquiry reports from DIG (prison) Love Kumar on the role of Unnao jail administration in handling the victim’s father and a separate report from Unnao district magistrate on the lapses on part of the government hospital, said the IE report.

The government also suspended two doctors – DK Dwivedi and Prashant Upadhyay – and initiated disciplinary proceedings against three of them – Dr Manoj Kumar, Dr GP Sachan and Dr Gaurav Agrawal – for laxity in giving proper medical care and treatment to the victim’s father prior to judicial custody and at the district hospital.

On April 3, the girl’s father was arrested in an Arms Act case and also booked under charges relating to voluntarily causing hurt, intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace. Unnao district jail superintendent AK Singh had said the girl’s father was handed over to police after he was allegedly beaten by four supporters of the MLA and their unidentified associates.

“On April 5, he complained of stomach ache and vomiting. We called the district hospital physician who came to the jail on April 6 and gave him medicines. They also asked us to conduct his blood, urine and ultrasound tests, for which we again took him to the district hospital on April 7. Since the physician did not find anything serious, he was brought back to the jail the same evening,” Singh had said. The next day, the victim’s father again complained of abdominal pain and vomiting. “His blood pressure too was very low, so the jail doctor asked us to take him to the district hospital. He was admitted there around 8.45 pm. But he passed away at 3.45 am next day,” he had said.

Circle Officer of Safipur, Kunwar Bahadur Singh, was also suspended for negligence in handling the repeated complaints given by the Unnao rape victim. The alleged rape case came into the limelight after the victim tried to immolate herself outside Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s residence on Sunday after alleging police inaction against the BJP MLA.

Sengar has denied the allegations and termed the charges against him as a political conspiracy. His wife, Sangeeta Sengar, had on Wednesday demanded narco tests of her husband and the 17-year-old girl.

Meanwhile, the rape victim on Thursday demanded Sengar’s arrest, saying she now fears for her uncle’s life. “Still so many questions are being raised on me, even after my father’s murder. How will I get justice,” said the victim.

Stating that the CBI probe is fine, the victim said, “First MLA (Kuldeep Singh Sengar) should be arrested as he will influence probe. I now fear for my uncle’s(father’s brother) life”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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BJP and TMC workers clash in Kolkata ahead of PM rally

Supporters of BJP and TMC clashed in central Kolkata near Girish Park shortly before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally at Brigade Parade Ground.

Published

4 hours ago

on

March 14, 2026

By

BJP TMC workers clash

Supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the All India Trinamool Congress clashed in central Kolkata on Saturday morning ahead of a rally scheduled to be addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi later in the day.

The confrontation took place near Girish Park, roughly five kilometres from the Brigade Parade Ground where the prime minister is expected to address supporters.

Eyewitnesses reported that members from both political groups raised slogans and threw stones at each other during the confrontation. The clash created tension in the area as supporters were moving towards the rally venue.

According to BJP supporters, stones were allegedly thrown at them without provocation while they were heading towards the rally. One party activist told a Bengali news channel that the group was targeted suddenly and also faced verbal abuse.

However, local TMC workers rejected the allegations. They claimed that BJP supporters initiated the confrontation by hurling abuses and throwing stones first.

TMC supporters also alleged that stones were thrown towards the residence of local party leaders during the incident.

Police personnel were quickly deployed to the spot to control the situation and prevent further escalation. A large contingent of security forces intervened to restore order in the area.

The clash occurred about half an hour before the prime minister’s scheduled address at the Brigade Parade Ground. The rally marks the conclusion of the BJP’s statewide ‘Parivartan Yatra’ ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in West Bengal.

During his visit, the prime minister is also expected to unveil and lay foundation stones for development projects valued at more than Rs 18,000 crore in the state.

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Massive fire destroys around 80 shanties in west Delhi, hundreds left homeless

A massive blaze swept through a slum cluster in west Delhi’s Matiala village, destroying around 80 shanties and leaving hundreds of migrant families homeless overnight.

Published

1 day ago

on

March 13, 2026

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massive fire

A massive overnight fire destroyed around 80 shanties in west Delhi, leaving hundreds of migrant families homeless after flames swept through a large slum settlement near Uttam Nagar.

The incident took place late on the night of March 11 at the Machhli Mandi shanty cluster in Matiala village. The blaze spread rapidly across nearly four acres, reducing homes made of bamboo, tarpaulin and plastic sheets to ashes within hours.

According to Delhi Police, the affected families were largely migrant workers from Bihar who earn their livelihood as daily-wage labourers and ragpickers. Though no deaths were reported, residents lost most of their belongings including clothes, utensils, food supplies and documents.

Firefighters battle flames through the night

The Delhi Fire Service deployed 23 fire tenders to control the blaze. Firefighters continued operations throughout the night and managed to bring the flames under control at around 3 am on Thursday. Cooling operations continued afterward to prevent the fire from reigniting.

Thick grey ash and burnt debris covered large parts of the area after the fire. Charred bamboo frames, melted plastic sheets and twisted tin roofs were scattered across the ground.

Some residents claimed they saw unidentified people arrive on motorcycles and set several huts on fire before fleeing. Authorities have not confirmed this allegation.

Authorities cite disputed land and possible waste burning

District Magistrate Mekala Chaitanya visited the site and said the land has been under dispute for a long time.

He stated that the occupants had been issued an evacuation notice on March 7, with the night of the fire marking the final deadline to vacate the area.

An investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the fire. The district administration suggested that the blaze may have started due to ragpickers burning waste at night, a practice commonly reported in the area.

Officials also noted that a similar fire incident had occurred earlier this month at the same location after illegal garbage dumping, which required eight fire tenders to extinguish.

Police say evacuation prevented casualties

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Dwarka) Kushal Pal Singh said police teams helped evacuate residents before the fire intensified.

He said the temporary structures were made from highly flammable materials, which allowed the fire to spread quickly. However, swift action by police and firefighters ensured that no lives were lost.

Families struggle after losing everything

Residents said they are now struggling to survive without basic necessities.

Rani Devi, a mother of three, said her family had no food, milk or drinking water after the fire destroyed their home and belongings. She added that many families were now sleeping amid the burnt debris.

A student, Rahul Kumar, whose board examinations are scheduled to begin soon, said his textbooks, notebooks and school uniform were all destroyed in the blaze.

Another resident, 42-year-old Rajesh Paswan, who migrated from Bihar over a decade ago and works as a ragpicker, said the fire wiped out everything his family owned overnight.

Demand for compensation and rehabilitation

AAP leader Ramesh Matitala met affected families and called for immediate compensation and rehabilitation.

He said the families should be provided financial assistance and relocated to a safer place, adding that authorities must ensure accountability if negligence or foul play is found in the investigation.

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Mamata Banerjee questions PM Modi’s respect for President Murmu using 2024 photograph

Mamata Banerjee criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi using a 2024 photograph during a rally as political tensions grow over President Droupadi Murmu’s visit to West Bengal.

Published

5 days ago

on

March 9, 2026

By

mamta banerjee

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has intensified her attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi amid a growing dispute over President Droupadi Murmu’s recent visit to the state.

Speaking at a public rally, Banerjee referred to a photograph from March 2024 that shows the President standing while the Prime Minister is seated during a meeting with veteran leader Lal Krishna Advani. The Trinamool Congress leader questioned the government’s claims about respecting the office of the President.

According to a video shared by the Trinamool Congress, two party leaders displayed the photograph while Banerjee addressed the gathering. She argued that while leaders often speak about honouring the President’s office, such visual moments raise questions about whether that respect is truly reflected in conduct.

The photograph referenced by Banerjee was taken on March 31, 2024, when President Murmu and Prime Minister Modi visited Advani to present him with the Bharat Ratna.

Banerjee said the image showed the President standing while the Prime Minister remained seated. She asked whether the government truly respected the country’s first tribal woman President, adding that the picture demonstrated “who respects and who does not”.

President’s visit to Bengal triggers controversy

The political exchange began after President Murmu visited West Bengal on Saturday to attend the ninth International Santal Conference in Darjeeling.

While addressing the event, the President publicly noted that neither the chief minister nor other state ministers were present to receive her. She said that usually the chief minister welcomes the President during such visits but that did not happen in this case.

Murmu added that Banerjee is like a “younger sister” to her and said she did not know whether the chief minister was upset.

The President also raised concerns about the change in the event venue and suggested that the new location made it difficult for people to attend. She said she did not know why the state administration had not permitted the programme at the earlier venue.

Prime minister criticises Bengal government

Reacting to the developments, Prime Minister Modi described the situation as “shameful and unprecedented”. In a post on social media, he said the incident had saddened people who believe in democracy and in empowering tribal communities.

He added that the pain expressed by President Murmu had caused widespread concern and accused the West Bengal government of disrespecting the office of the President. The Prime Minister also said the dignity of the President’s position should remain above political disputes.

Speaking at a public event later, Modi said the developments were particularly unfortunate as they occurred on International Women’s Day. He alleged that the Trinamool Congress government had boycotted both the tribal event and the President.

Mamata Banerjee denies protocol violation

Banerjee rejected the allegations, saying no protocol lapse occurred during the visit.

According to the chief minister, the event had been organised by a private body, the International Santal Council, which invited the President to attend the conference in Siliguri. She said the district administration had warned the President’s Secretariat that the organisers lacked adequate arrangements to host such a programme.

Banerjee also stated that the advance team from the President’s Secretariat visited the site earlier in March and was informed about the shortcomings but the event continued as scheduled.

She added that officials including the mayor of Siliguri Municipal Corporation, the Darjeeling district magistrate and the Siliguri police commissioner received and saw off the President according to the approved protocol lineup.

The chief minister said she was not part of the official lineup or the event’s dais plan and accused the BJP of using the country’s highest constitutional office for political purposes.

Centre seeks report from state

The issue escalated further after Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan wrote to West Bengal Chief Secretary Nandini Chakravorty seeking a report on alleged lapses during the President’s visit.

According to sources, the letter asked why senior state officials such as the chief minister, the chief secretary and the director general of police were not present to receive the President. It also raised concerns about reports of poor arrangements at the venue, including the absence of water in a washroom designated for the President and garbage along the route.

Officials from the Darjeeling district administration and Siliguri police were also mentioned in the communication, with the Centre seeking details of any action taken.

The controversy has now turned into a sharp political confrontation between the Centre and the West Bengal government.

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