A 17-year-old rape victim jailed in a theft case brought against her by her alleged rapist, a ruling Bahujan Samaj Party MLA, walked free on Saturday.
Her release came after Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati ordered that she be set free and the Allahabad high court immediately gave directions for it. It coincided with the CM celebrating her 55th birthday.
The court, taking suo motu cognisance of a report published in the Hindustan Times on Saturday, constituted a division bench to take up the case despite Saturday being a court holiday.
HT had reported that the girl might have to spend a few more days in jail despite a Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department report saying she had been falsely implicated in the theft case.
The girl has alleged that Purushottam Naresh Dwivedi — BSP MLA from Naraini assembly seat in Banda district — and three of his aides raped her on December 11 and 12. She escaped from Dwivedi's house on December 12. Two days later, he filed a complaint with the police accusing her of stealing a mobile phone and R5,000 from his house. She was arrested and jailed on December 15.
Taking note of the HT report that stated that the MLA, who was arrested on Thursday, had threatened to take revenge on the victim, the court told the government to protect her.
{{/usCountry}}Taking note of the HT report that stated that the MLA, who was arrested on Thursday, had threatened to take revenge on the victim, the court told the government to protect her.
{{/usCountry}}"The principal secretary (home) has been directed to provide adequate security to her," cabinet secretary Shashank Shekhar Singh said.