The Uttar Pradesh Police on Tuesday arrested three accomplices of absconding rape-accused Samajwadi Party leader Gayatri Prajapati. The trio have been held for giving shelter to the accused. Of these three arrested, two are Prajapati’s sons. “Today’s arrests were made from Hazratganj area in central Lucknow,” Inspector General (Lucknow) A Satish Ganesh told PTI.
With the latest arrests, the police have managed to track down all the six people named in the First Information Report. On March 7, Prajapati’s two aides were arrested from Noida near Jewar on the Yamuna Expressway while his security guard, Chandrapal, was picked up on March 6 near Lucknow Police lines.
Prajapati and six others allegedly gang-raped a woman and molested her minor daughter in 2014. On February 17, the Supreme Court had ordered an FIR against the Samajwadi Party leader in connection with the rape case.
Prajapati has been absconding since the court directed an FIR against him. The police may soon attach Prajapati’s two properties in Lucknow and one in Amethi to force him to surrender, reported PTI. Amethi also happens to be his Assembly constituency that he lost to the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate in the recent state elections. Besides, a look out notice and a non-bailable warrant have been issued against him. The police have also impounded his passport.
Buy an annual Scroll Membership to support independent journalism and get special benefits.
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!