The Allahabad High Court on Wednesday rebuked the Central Bureau of Investigation for its lack of progress in the Unnao rape case, in which Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar is accused of raping a teenager in June 2017, the Hindustan Times reported.
The Central Bureau of Investigation submitted its progress report to the High Court in a sealed cover. “We are unhappy with the progress in the case,” the bench Chief Justice DB Bhosale and Justice Suneet Kumar told the investigating agency, according to the Hindustan Times. “We asked for a status report just to see what you are doing. Why do you wait for our orders to proceed?”
The bench further said: “Do whatever you can by using your power. The court cannot direct you at every stage of investigation.”
The CBI also filed an application seeking to transfer the case to Lucknow from Unnao, PTI reported. The bench fixed the matter for further hearing on May 21.
Sengar allegedly raped the girl when she went to his house looking for work. It took 10 months, an immolation attempt by the survivor and her family, the death of her father in judicial custody, and public outrage before an FIR was finally registered against the politician. After the Uttar Pradesh government asked the CBI to take over the inquiry, the agency arrested Sengar and charged him under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and various sections of the Indian Penal Code.
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