In a major mortification to the Uttar Pradesh government, the Supreme Court on Thursday, August 1, said that the cases linked to the Unnao rape survivor will be moved out of Lucknow to Delhi.
The apex court has asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officers investigating the case to appear before it by 12 pm and give full details on the rape case as well as the car accident in which the rape survivor was injured critically.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta had asked the Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi to postpone the CBI appearance for Friday. He said that he spoke with the CBI director, who said that the investigating officers are in Lucknow and won't be able to reach Delhi by 12 pm.
However, the CJI has refused to adjourn the matter for Friday. He said that the CBI chief can gather the details of the case over the telephone and give an update on Thursday only. The apex court has directed the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) to give immediate protection to the teenage rape survivor, her family and her lawyer. The SC has also ordered the Yogi Adityanath government to pay a compensation of Rs 25 lakh to the survivor by Friday.
CJI also asked the CRPF Raebareli unit to provide protection to the Unnao rape victim, her family and her lawyer.
Sunday's car crash in Rae Bareli claimed the lives of two of the rape survivor's aunts. Reports said the victim had earlier written a letter to the CJI stating that she faced threats from the accused, BJP legislator Kuldeep Singh Sengar.
A day after the car crash an FIR was lodged against Kuldeep Sengar, his brother Manoj Sengar and eight others. The four-time BJP lawmaker has also been expelled from the party due to the public outrage.
(This is a developing story. More details awaited)
