Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) MLA Ashish Singh Ashu has come out in support of rape accused and expelled BJP MLA Kuldeep Sengar, who is serving in jail for allegedly raping a teenage girl in June 2017 in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh.
The lawmaker was captured on camera, sympathising with Sengar and wishing the latter walks out of jail soon, reported NDTV. MLA Ashish was addressing a Panchayat event near Unnao, the hometown of the expelled MLA.
“Our brother Kuldeep Singh could not be here among us today as he is going through difficult times. Out best wishes are with him. We hope that he will overcome the bad times, fight through it and come out of it and be with all of you. Wherever we are, our best wishes are with him.”Ashish Singh Ashu, BJO MLA, as reported by NDTV
BJP Reacts to MLA’s Comments
The BJP, however, distanced itself from the comments, saying the statements could be the personal view of the MLA, reported PTI.
BJP spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi told PTI: "As far as the BJP is concerned, whatever disciplinary action it had to take, has been taken. Sengar has been expelled.”
"Unless one is proved guilty, one is innocent in the eyes of the law. May be the MLA (Ashu) spoke on these lines,” Tripathi said.
Sengar Expelled From Party
Over a week ago, the rape survivor and her lawyer were injured and two of her aunts lost their lives in a car crash which involved a speeding truck whose number plate was painted black. The girl is still in critical condition, and on the ventilator.
This incident evoked mass public outrage, resulting in the BJP expelling MLA Sengar from the party. The survivor had also lost her father in police custody.
Speedy Judicial Process
According to NDTV, four cases related to the Unnao rape case will be transferred to Delhi from Uttar Pradesh. This step comes after the survivor’s family claimed to have faced threats from the jailed lawmaker.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has also been asked to speed up the process and submit their report within seven days, as directed by the Supreme Court (SC).
The FIR claims that threats from Kuldeep Sengar and his men had increased in the last few years, after Allahabad High Court refused to accept co-rape accused’s appeal.
(With Inputs from NDTV)
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