BSP MP acquitted in rape case; complainant had committed suicide outside SC | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

BSP MP acquitted in rape case; complainant had committed suicide outside SC

PTI |
Aug 06, 2022 07:01 PM IST

On May 1, 2019, the 24-year-old woman filed the complaint of rape against Atul Rai and others. She alleged that Rai took her to his flat in Varanasi, raped her, made objectionable videos and took photographs. After this, he threatened to put the videos online.

A court here on Saturday acquitted BSP Lok Sabha MP Atul Kumar Singh in a case of alleged rape and cheating filed in 2019 by a woman who committed suicide outside the Supreme Court last year after accusing senior police officers of colluding with the accused.

Representational image.
Representational image.

Anuj Yadav, the advocate of the MP, said that the special judge of the MP-MLA court, Siyaram Chaurasia, gave the decision in favour of Atul Kumar Singh alias Atul Rai, who represents the Ghosi Lok Sabha seat and has been in jail since June 2019 in the case.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

"Evidence could not be submitted on the behalf of the victim, and the incident could not be proved," the lawyer said.

On May 1, 2019, the 24-year-old woman filed the complaint of rape against Atul Rai and others. She alleged that Rai took her to his flat in Varanasi, raped her, made objectionable videos and took photographs.

After this, he threatened to put the videos online.

On June 22, 2019, Rai surrendered in court, and since then, he is lodged in Naini Jail in Prayagraj.

In August last year, the woman along with her friend and witness in the case died after self-immolation outside the Supreme Court in Delhi.

Before committing suicide, the two had recorded a Facebook Live video in which the alleged victim disclosed her identity and claimed that she had filed the rape case against Rai in 2019. She also alleged that some senior police officers were supporting the accused.

Rai was booked by the Hazratganj police in Lucknow for abetting the suicide of the two.

In July, the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court, while denying bail to Rai, had asked Parliament and the Election Commission of India to take effective measures to remove criminals from politics and break the unholy nexus among them, politicians and bureaucrats.

A bench of Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh said it is the responsibility of Parliament to show its collective will to restrain criminals from entering politics or legislature to save democracy.

Considering the criminal history of 23 cases against Rai, the might of the accused, evidence on record and the possibility of tampering with the evidence, the bench said it did not find any ground to grant bail to him at this stage.

Lawyer Anuj Yadav said Rai can be released from jail only when he gets bail in the case of alleged criminal conspiracy and abetment to suicide.

The advocate also said, "The High Court had directed us to submit the electronic evidence. After examining it, the court found that the case was registered as part of a political conspiracy to defeat him in the Lok Sabha election."

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Mukhtar Ansari Death News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On