The CBI detained BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar, accused in the Unnao rape case, on Friday, a day after the Uttar Pradesh government handed over the probe to the central agency.

Auto refresh feeds

The Yogi Adityanath government late on Wednesday night decided to hand over to the CBI the probe into the Unnao rape case in which a BJP MLA is among the accused, on a day when he made a dramatic appearance before the police but refused to surrender.

Two doctors, namely Dr DK Dwivedi and Dr Prashant Upadhyay have been suspended and disciplinary action initiated against three other doctors, Dr Manoj Kumar (Orthosurgeon), Dr GP Sachan (Surgeon) and Dr Gaurav Agrawal for laxity in giving proper medical care, Principal Secretary (Information) said in an statement.

Rape accused and four-time Unnao MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar has the blind support of the villagers of Makhi. So much so that the villagers took up cudgels against a special investigative team (SIT) formed to probe the Unnao rape case and the death of the survivor's father, Surendra Kumar Singh, in police custody. The villagers wouldn’t let the team, headed by additional director-general (ADG), law and order, Lucknow zone, Rajeev Krishna, enter the village on Wednesday and held vociferous protests against the probe.

Speaking to CNN-News18 , BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar said rape accusations hurled at him were a political conspiracy. "I am innocent, everything will be cleared as the matter has been handed over to CBI.This is a political conspiracy against me…my wife has been hospitalised and I am with her..i am ready for any probe," accused MLA said.

The case has been registered under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (including Section 376 for rape) and POCSO Act.

An FIR has been fired against the rape accused Kuldeep Sengar on Thursday, confirmed SO Rajesh Singh to ANI. The case has been registered at the Makhi police station in Unnao.

“I screamed. I knew people were sitting outside in the corridor, but no one came to help me. After raping me, he asked me to leave and straightaway return home,” she told The Print, adding that Sengar wiped her tears and said he would get her a good job. He also allegedly threatened to kill her father and four-year-old brother if she filed a complaint.

In an interview with The Print, the rape survivor, who has accused BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar of sexually assaulting her, said the incident took place on 4 June, 2017 when she was 16 years old. On that day, Sengar reportedly called her home, took her to his room and raped her, while accomplices sat outside the door.

Kuldeep Sengar told rape survivor he would get her a good job after assaulting her

On Thursday, rape accused MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar was booked under the following sections of the Indian Penal Code: Section 366 (Kidnapping, abducting), Section 363 (Punishment for kidnapping), Section 376 (Punishment for rape) and Section 506 (Punishment for criminal intimidation)

"I'm not a fugitive. I respect the CBI and the judiciary process," he said.

Speaking to CNN-News18, accused BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar said that he is confident he will be proved innocent after the CBI probe. "I have full faith in the Yogi Adityanath government. I have done no wrong. I will be proved innocent after CBI probe. I'm willing to cooperate. The rape allegations are baseless."

According to CNN-News18, the Congress party members will protest against BJP MLA Kuldeep Sengar in Lucknow at 2 pm on Thursday. Sengar is accused of raping a 16-year-old girl in June last year. An FIR into the same was filed on Thursday as well.

Allahabad High Court has sought the Yogi Adityanath-led state government's stand on the incident in a letter to the court by senior lawyer Gopal Swaroop Chaturvedi detailing the case and posted the matter for hearing on Thursday.

Speaking to the media, Uttar Pradesh home secretary Arvind Kumar said on Thursday the rape survivor did not name the BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar in her statement in 2017.

The case has been registered based on allegations, said OP Singh, DGP, Uttar Pradesh. "If there is evidence found, the CBI will take a call if the accused has to be arrested or not." He also added that the BJP MLA is an accused and not convicted yet.

'BJP MLA not being arrested yet as its only an allegation'

The home secretary and other officials addressing the media kept referring to Kuldeep Singh Sengar as "mananiy vidhayak" (honourable minister). As reporters pointed this out, DGP OP Singh said, "I'm not defending anyone. I referred to him as 'accused'."

During Wednesday's briefing, the DGP came under fire from the media after he referred to Kuldeep Singh Sengar as the 'Honourable MLA'. The mediapersons present at the briefing were quick to point out the irony of the situation to the top cop and asked him how was Sengar "honourable"? Singh said, "His (Sengar's) crimes have not been proven yet, and there is no reason why he shouldn't be given respect of his position."

After the Uttar Pradesh government decided to hand over the probe into the Unnao rape case to CBI on Wednesday night, the young rape survivor expressed her apprehensions and said the accused BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar must be arrested. "Still so many questions are being raised on me, even after my father's murder. How will I get justice? CBI probe is fine but first MLA (Kuldeep Singh Sengar) should be arrested as he will influence the probe. I now fear for my uncle's (father's brother) life," ANI quoted her as saying.

"They belong to a low status family ('nimn star ke log hain')...This is a conspiracy by my opponents," Sengar told reporters, but refused to comment on speculation about he being summoned by Adityanath.

The woman's father, aged around 50, was rushed to a hospital from the district jail on the night of 8 April but he died during the treatment, an officials said. He was arrested on 5 April under the Arms Act, they added. Significantly, a case had been registered against four persons a few days earlier on a complaint by the deceased's wife that he was beaten up. "The four accused — Sonu, Baua, Vinit and Shailu — named in the FIR registered on 4 April for beating up the deceased had been arrested," Superintendent of Police, Unnao, Pushpanjali Devi was quoted as saying.

BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar and his brothers allegedly raped a 16-year-old girl in June 2017. The father of the girl died in police custody on 9 April. A defiant Sengar, however, had rejected the charge as a conspiracy by his opponents and said the complainant belonged to a "low class", even as six policemen were suspended and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath assured that the guilty will not be spared.

Congress members led protests against the Bharatiya Janata Party and rape accused MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar in Lucknow on Thursday. The Congress women's wing is also part of the protests.

Addressing the media, Congress leader Kapil Sibal said: "Someone who has raped and abducted, the chief minister wants to withdraw the case? This is their mentality. If they are in power, they will protect the accused. Unfortunately, the manner in which the prime minister has conducted himself suggests that he is not serious about the kind of things happening in this country."

PM's conduct suggests he is not serious about rapes happening in the country: Kapil Sibal

The Allahabad High Court on Thursday said that the rape charges against the BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar are very serious and sought a reply from the Uttar Pradesh government on the matter by 2 pm, reported India Today.

According to Prakhar Singh, the nephew of Kuldeep Singh Sengar, the MLA's family has welcomed the Uttar Pradesh government's move to hand over the probe to the CBI in this case and has also demanded a narco test be conducted on both the rape survivor and Sengar. "We are saying this from day one that CBI should investigate this matter as all the allegations are false and have been made for political interest," said Prakhar.

Sengar's nephew Prakhar Singh also confirmed that the BJP MLA's wife Sangeeta is admitted in the ICU of Mayo Hospital in Lucknow. "After watching the news Sangeeta aunty is in trauma and a team of three doctors is looking after her," he added.

The SIT has told the Allahabad High Court that they will arrest Kuldeep Singh Sengar. The court's order is expected to come by 3:30 pm.

When questioned that whether he will surrender to the police, Sengar said he would surrender when there is a warrant against him.

"I came here to show to the media that I am not absconding, and I am very much in Lucknow. I am here, tell me what to do," a visibly unrepentant Sengar told reporters. He said, "I am a disciplined BJP worker. I am innocent. I am being implicated."

Today morning, when Kuldeep Singh Sengar appeared at the residence of Senior Superintended of Police in Lucknow, word was that perhaps the MLA has come to surrender. However, Sengar came out looking confident.

Union minister Satyapal Singh said, "The SIT has submitted its report and strict action will be taken against those found guilty.I don't know how much is he (Kuldeep Singh Sengar) involved in the case. But sometimes such allegations are proven wrong also."

'Allegations are false sometimes, law will take its course,' says Union minister Satyapal Singh

However, since the victim is 17-year-old, Sengar is charged under provisions of the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in the Makhi police station area. Under POCSO an accused has to be arrested immediately after a case been filed.

Even tough the Uttar Pradesh Police finally registered an FIR against BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar, it is still undecided on whether to arrest the accused MLA or not. It said that since the case has been handed over to the CBI, the premier investigating agency will take a call on the MLA's arrest.

AICC general secretary in charge of communications Randeep Surjewala told The Times of India , “The media department has decided to refer to UP chief minister as only Adityanath. A chief minister who lords over the death of 200 infants and razing of Dalit houses, who protects MLAs and leaders accused of rape is not a ‘yogi’ (ascetic) but a bhogi (materialist).”

'He’s no ‘Yogi’, will just call him Adityanath': Congress slams UP CM over Unnao rape case

Advocate general Raghvendra Singh, on behalf of the UP government, told the Allahabad High Court that their is no evidence against Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the alleged rape case. The government told the court that action was taken according to the law.

The Allahabad High Court will give its order in the case at 2pm on Friday. The SIT investigating the case, meanwhile, has told the court that it will arrenst Kuldeep Singh Sengar if gathers enought evidence against him.

Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal has sent a letter to the prime minister, demanding stern action in the two rape cases. She has said that she wil sit on an indefinite hunger strike from tomorrow at Rajghat in Delhi.

In the midst of Unnao rape case controversy that has dented the Uttar Pradesh government's claim of improved law and order, the burnt body of another body was found in the forest area in Asoha. the police have started their investigation.

"It's correct decision to refer the matter to CBI. If there're issues which are not meeting the eye then severe punishment should be given to those who did such an abhorrent act, there should be no false prosecution and the accused shouldn't escape," Lekhi said.

BJP leader Deepti Bharadwaj has said that the government has now made its stand clear in the Unnao rape case and justie will be served. She had earlier tweeted out her concerns about the government inaction in the case and had also written to party president Amit Shah.

Advocate General Raghvendra Singh told the court that the investigating agency will arrest Sengar if sufficient evidence is found against him. The court was, however, not convinced with the argument and the judge asked Singh whether this was a standard norm followed in all cases. Singh replied saying that the investigating officer takes a call on arrest on a case to case basis depending on the merit of the case. The investigation in this case is still underway.

The Special Investigation Team has reached the Unnao Hotel where the victim is staying. The investigation team will record fresh statements of the victim nd her family. Media persons have been asked to wait outside.

Chief food inspector, Unnao, KK Tripathi said that he has been asked by the DM to check the quality of items the victim family is consuming. Input by Saurabh Sharma

Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik reacted to the accusation of gang-rape and murder against BJP MLA Kuldeep Sengar. "What has happened is shameful. But to say that no action has been taken is wrong. Actions taken by the police till now will provide a solution and will also set an example for the future," Naik said .

Wrong to say no action taken so far: UP Governor Ram Naik

National Commission for Women has issued a notice to BJP MLA from Bairia Surendra Singh over his comment on Unnao rape case. He had said, "I am speaking from psychological point of view, no one can rape a mother of three children."

NCW issues notice to BJP MLA Surendra Singh who defended Sengar saying its impossible to rape mother of 3

The CBI will now take a call on whether Kuldeep Sengar should be arrested in the case or not.

The Special Investigation Team probing the incident has formally handed over the case to CBI after Centre gave its nod to UP governments' recommendation seeking premier investing agencies help.

According to The Indian Express , the CBI detained BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar, accused of raping a 16-year-old teenager last year, on Friday, a day after the Uttar Pradesh government handed over the probe to the central agency.

Rape accused MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar is currently being questioned at the CBI office in Lucknow, reported NDTV.

“It was June 4 last year. I was asked to go inside a room, where he raped me. Later, I was told that my father and family would be killed if I opened my mouth. I did not speak about it to anyone until I was kidnapped by some of his people a few days later, on June 11. They gangraped me for a few days and sold me to someone from whom I was recovered,” claimed the survivor.

In an interview with The Indian Express, the 17-year-old rape survivor from Unnao said that she used to called BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar 'Bhaiyya' till he allegedly raped.

'I used to call the BJP MLA Bhaiyya until he raped me'

BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar was taken into CBI custody for questioning in the wee hours of Friday morning. He was picked up by the CBI from his house in Lucknow at 4.30 am, reported News18 . The investigating agency also registered three separate cases late on Thursday after the case was taken up by the CBI following a notification by the personnel ministry.

The 17-year-old rape survivor told News18 she wanted Kuldeep Sengar to face strict action. "I want strict action to be taken against him and he should be given severe punishment."

The rape survivor's mother said, "I am happy (with CBI detaining him). I want him to get punishment, get death penalty. My husband is dead and he is not going to return now. The accused must be hanged. Kuldeep must be hanged. Both Atul and Kuldeep Sengar must be sent to jail and hanged."

Sources also said that the CBI has questioned the BJP MLA about the leaked audio tape of Sengar with the victim's uncle.

"I want CBI to take all accused into custody. and check Kuldeep Singh Sengar's call details from last year onwards to clarify his involvement in the case," the rape survivor's uncle told media persons.

WATCH: Unnao rape survivor's uncle wants all accused to be taken into custody

The TV channel also said the CBI might arrest one of the cops from Makhi police station and grill police officers over the alleged involvement.

The Uttar Pradesh Police has come under the CBI scanner after the BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar's call details suggested he kept in touch with police officers, reported India Today.

The CBI team reached Unnao hotel on Friday, where the rape survivor's family is staying, to investigate, even as accused BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar was being questioned in Lucknow.

Reports have emerged that the CBI may also investigate the Supreintendent of Police in Unnao, the Chief Medical Officer, Safipur Circle Officer, jail doctors and the other accused who have been sent to jail.

“Main khud aaya hoon. Adhikari se pooch lo (I came on my own. Ask the officer),” News18 quoted him as telling reporters while being taken inside the CBI head office.

After being to taken into CBI custody on Friday morning, rape accused BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar said he arrived at the central agency office in Hazratgunj in Lucknow of his own volition, and asked reporters to confirm it with the officers.

Kuldeep Singh Sengar denies being 'detained' by CBI, says he went to agency on his own

Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi demanded capital punishment for those who raped minors below 12 years of age, reported CNN-News18. She also said she will amend the POCSO Act to reflect the same. You can follow LIVE updates on the Kathua rape case here .

"Main khud aaya hoon. Adhikari se pooch lo," News18 quoted him as saying while being taken inside the CBI head office.

Despite being taken into CBI custody, BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar denied being held by the CBI and said that he had, in fact, arrived on his own at the agency's head office in Hazratganj.

"Investigation has been handed over to the CBI. I believe the CBI would have arrested the MLA also. Our government will not compromise on this. No matter how influential the accused is, he will not be spared," Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, ANI reported.

One of the three FIRs filed by the CBI against the rape accused BJP MLA Kuldeep Kumar Sengar specify the charges he has been booked for. He has been charged under Section 363, 366, 376, 506 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 2 and 4 of the POCSO Act. The FIR mentions the survivor's mother as the complainant.

In a separate FIR, the CBI booked BJP MLA Kuldeep Sengar for rioting, voluntarily causing hurt and criminal intimidation under Sections 147, 323 and 504 of the Indian Penal Code.

In the third FIR, CBI booked MLA Kuldeep Sengar for voluntarily causing hurt, criminal intimidation, threat and unlawful possession of arms under Sections 323, 504, 506 of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 3 and 25 under the Arms Act.

Six policemen, who were earlier suspended, have reportedly been taken into custody by the CBI. The two police officers and four police constables were suspended after being accused of allegedly beating up the rape survivor's father in judicial custody.

In an interview with The Times of India , BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar, accused of raping a 16-year-old minor, said he is open to narco and other medical tests and that he believed no rape took place. "Let CBI collect audio, video evidence and any witness's statements. I personally believe no rape took place in first or second case. But now let CBI or other agencies probe it. Why should I surrender before the CBI completes its probe?" the report quoted Sengar as saying.

"The Unnao incident took place 10 months ago. The police presented their case before the magistrate. In that the MLA was not named. The victim wrote letters to the prime minister and Yogi Adityanath, and in that she accused the MLA Kuldeep Sengar. Then, the probe began," she said.

Addressing the media, BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi said the accused must be punished and the victims must get justice. "Accused must be punished and victims should get justice. The country is ours, the accused should not be allowed to escape. The government has condemned both Kathua and Unnao rape cases."

The Allahabad High Court is set to pass its order on the Unnao rape case at 2 pm on Friday. The court on Thursday strongly objected to the delay in BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar's arrest, as it sought details of the action taken by the government in the matter.

The Allahabad High Court on Friday ordered the CBI to probe all three FIRs, and cancel the bail of those accused. The court has directed the investigating agency to present the progress report on the same on 2 May at 10 am.

The Allahabad High Court on Friday passed an order stating that the CBI arrest BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar and present the status report on the case on 2 May.

In the order, the Allahabad High Court also said it would monitor the probe while adding the Kuldeep Sengar should be arrested, and not just detained.

In the court, the Additional Advocate General was asked if the BJP MLA has been arrested or not. The AAG replied that he has been detained, said Sanjay Singh, one of the lawyers present in the courtroom. The court observed that detention will not serve the purpose, "Suppose I ask you to be in the court for 10 minutes, it amounts to detention but it does not mean he has been arrested," the court said, according to Singh.

The woman's body was found hanging in her cottage and a suicide note was also recovered from the spot in which she alleged that she was facing sexual harassment, SP rural Ajay Sehdev.

A 38-year-old Dalit woman committed suicide after facing sexual harassment by two men at Jolla village in Muzaffarnagar, police said.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi has instructed party members to hold candlelight march at capitals of all the states against the Kathua and Unnao rape cases, ANI reported.

Congress workers to take out candlelight march in capitals of all states

Voices from within the BJP are coming out against the brutal Unnao and Kathua rape cases. BJP MP from Assam RP Sharma also demanded death penalty for those found guilty, even if the accused hailed from his own party. "The guilty should be publicly hanged or shot dead. There should be no leniency with rapists. Even if the guilty is found to be a BJP member, he should be executed publicly," Sharma said .

Addressing the media, senior party leader Gopal Rai said the party would also launch a country-wide campaign after Sunday on rising attacks against women. Rai said the prime minister became silent whenever the country faced trouble. "Why is he silent? What is the reason? Even Manmohan Singh used to speak at times."

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will ' gherao ' prime minister Narendra Modi's residence in New Delhi on Sunday over what it said on Friday was his silence on the rapes in Unnao and Kathua.

Smriti Irani, who had been vocal at the time of Damini Singh's brutal rape and murder in New Delhi, had been silent on the Unnao and Kathua cases so far. Tody, speaking to reporters she said, "Rahul Gandhi earlier stood in support of Gayatri Prasad Prajapati. It's just his compulsion to take a stand this time but Amethi knows the truth. I have faith that justice will be provided."

Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi addressed the media over the Kathua and Unnao rape case. Targeting the BJP over Prime minister's silence, Singhvi said that the collective conscience of the nation has been shaken, and India is waiting to listen from three people. He said the prime minister and the chief ministers of Jammu and Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh should answer.

"We have referred the matter to the CBI...Our government will not compromise on the zero-tolerance policy it has followed against crime and corruption since the beginning. We will firmly deal with criminals, however influential they might be," Adityanath said.

"As soon as the matter came to the notice of the government on 9 April, we immediately constituted an SIT (Special Investigation Team) and initiated action in the matter...The policemen and doctors found guilty in the SIT report were suspended," the CM told reporters in Chitrakoot.

Facing severe flak over the delay in taking action against his party MLA who has been accused in the Unnao rape case, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today said his government had not deviated from its zero-tolerance policy on crime and that it would firmly deal with criminals, no matter how influential they might be.

Firm action will be taken against criminals, no matter how influential they may be: Yogi Adityanath

The court also rapped the investigating agency for allowing Sengar to influence their actions.

We fail to understand why the Investigating Agency instead of arresting accused persons, they arrested complainant, in connection with this case," the Allahabad High Court asked in its order.

It also said it appears that false cases were lodged against the family members.

The bench said the father of prosecutrix was "beaten up by the brother and the goons of Kuldeep Singh and was arrested and in the custody was beaten mercilessly".

In its 20-page order, the court also said, "The disturbing feature of the case is that the law and order machinery and the government officials were directly in league and under the influence of Kuldeep Singh. The doctor did not examine the prosecutrix, nor did the circle officer, Shafipur, register the crime, though hand written complaint of the prosecutrix was sent from the office of the Chief Minister."

The prime minister was speaking at an event to mark the inauguration of Ambedkar museum in New Delhi.

"Incidents being discussed since past two days cannot be part of a civilised society. As a country, as a society we all are ashamed of it. I want to assure the country that no culprit will be spared, complete justice will be done. Our daughters will definitely get justice," he said.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) continued the interrogation of BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar at CBI Zonal office in Lucknow. He is being questioned since past 15 hours . The premier investigation agency has also recorded the victim and her family's statements separately in Unnao and has called them to Lucknow tomorrow for further investigation.

Medical superintendent and casualty officer at Unnao District Hospital was suspended on Friday evening a day after CBI took over the case. A departmental inquiry has also initiated against 3 other doctors. The Allahabad High Court had also raised questions on the role of doctors on duty asking that why was the victim's father released to be taken into police custody again, if his injuries were serious.

The CBI has arrested BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar accused of assaut, murder and raping a minor was finally arrested by the CBI after the Allahabad High Court's order. Sengar was grilled by the investigation agency for close to 15 hours.

Meanwhile, ANI reports that a woman in Unnao alleges that a councillor from Safipur raped her while his accomplice filmed the act, an FIR has been filed in the case

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday demanded death penalty for those raping minors and also blasted the BJP for defending its MLA accused of raping a teenager in Uttar Pradesh. While visiting the Rajghat where Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) Chairperson Swati Maliwal's fast on the same issue entered the third day, Kejriwal said his government was ready to make amendments to the existing law to ensure death penalty to rapists of minors.- IANS

"People have been arrested only in the rape case, the murder case of my brother has not been touched yet," the uncle of Unnao rape survivor told ANI. He added that despite this the investigation is going "at a good pace" and that they are safe.

The University of Oxford India Society, London School of Economics India Society, University College London Indian Society, Imperial College London Indian Society and University of Birmingham Bharat Parivar are among the 19 signatories of the letter alongside NISAU UK, one of the UK's largest Indian student organisations. —PTI

It urges the Indian government to take "extraordinary measures" in the horrific rape cases that have been reported in Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh and more recently in Gujarat. "Hon Prime Minister, extraordinary times demand extraordinary measures. You have not shied away from taking difficult decisions in the past, such as with demonetisation. Please take similar extraordinary steps to prove that India's daughters matter," the letter reads.

The National Indian Students and Alumni Union (NISAU) UK, together with 19 India-related societies at leading UK universities, submitted the letter dated 14 April ahead of the Indian PM's four-day visit to the UK on Tuesday.

Indian students and alumni based in the UK have delivered a letter for Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Indian High Commission in London asking him to take "extraordinary measures" to ensure justice in rape cases reported from different states in India.

Indian students from leading universities in UK write to Narendra Modi ahead of his visit demanding justice in rape cases

There is also a sharp contrast between the strictly professional manner with which senior officers of the Jammu and Kashmir Police Crime Branch investigated the case in Kathua and the connivance of the state administration in Uttar Pradesh to protect the politically powerful from charges of rape and murder.

However, what happened to the eight-year-old girl in Kathua cannot be seen merely through the prism of the routine brutalisation of Indian women by sexual predators or political perfidy on display under Yogi Adityanath’s rule since it has a larger and darker dimension.

Though both provoked a public uproar, the Kathua case correlates with the involvement of a BJP legislator and his cronies in the alleged rape of a 16-year-old girl and the murder of her father in judicial custody in Uttar Pradesh's Unnao district.

Sharp contrast between strictly professional manner with which Kathua case has been handled in comparison to connivance of state administration in Unnao rape case

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday demanded death penalty for those raping minors and also blasted the BJP for defending its MLA accused of raping a teenager in Uttar Pradesh. While visiting the Rajghat where Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) Chairperson Swati Maliwal's fast on the same issue entered the third day, Kejriwal said his government was ready to make amendments to the existing law to ensure death penalty to rapists of minors.- IANS

The group has also demanded the convening of an all-party meeting "to deliberate on ways in which the phenomenon of hate crime can be tackled socially, politically and administratively". —IANS

"This is a moment of existential crisis, a turning point — the way the government responds now will determine whether we as a nation and as a republic have the capacity to overcome the crisis of constitutional values, of governance and the ethical order within which we function.

Holding Modi responsible "more than anyone else" for the "terrifying state of affairs" and pointing out that both in Uttar Pradesh (Unnao) and Jammu and Kashmir (Kathua) it is his party (BJP) that is in power, the 49 former civil servants who included Aruna Roy, Harsh Mander, Wajahat Habibullah, Jawahar Sircar and NC Saxena, termed the present state of affairs an "existential crisis".

In a strongly-worded open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a group of former civil servants on Sunday asked him to check the nations "free fall into anarchy" by acting tough against the culprits of the Kathua and Unnao rape cases and the perpetrators of hate crimes across the country.

Group of former civil servants pens letter to PM, tells him to 'act tough' against culprits of Kathua, Unnao rape cases

All of this is difficult, and most politicians know that it is close to impossible. That is why the easy way is chosen and that is to demand that rapists be hanged. The fact that murderers are also hanged and it has no effect on murders does not seem to worry us.

The facts show that to prevent sexual crimes, we have to make large changes in our society and its treatment of women at the level of the family. And we need to ensure that the existing laws on reporting sexual violence are followed at the level of every police station across India. This is very, very hard work but it will ensure that the rate of reporting goes up, at least to the levels where it is in the rest of the world. After the rate of reporting goes up, the state needs to ensure that it conducts proper investigations (which need resources and cannot be done with the same force or budget) that increases the rate of convictions.

Gurgaon-based filmmaker Saba Dewan led the protest. The protest included artistes and students, who vented their anger over the incidents and claimed that Muslims in the country were living in fear. They said the rights of Dalits and Adivasis were being questioned.

Hundreds of people on Sunday participated in a protest march called "Not In My Name" at Parliament Street in the national capital against increasing incidents of rape and atrocities on Dalits and minorities.

Not In My Name protests launched after Kathua, Unnao cases; hundreds march over atrocities against minorities

People have been arrested only in the rape case. The murder case of my brother has not been touched yet. Several culprits are still free. The investigation is going at a good pace and we are safe: Uncle of #UnnaoCase victim pic.twitter.com/mFEChtzsKh

"People have been arrested only in the rape case, the murder case of my brother has not been touched yet," the uncle of Unnao rape survivor told ANI. He added that despite this the investigation is going "at a good pace" and that they are safe.

Unnao rape case latest updates: The CBI has arrested Kuldeep Singh Sengar after Allahabad High Court directed it to do so. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi finally broke his silence on the two rape cases. Speaking at an event for inauguration of Ambedkar museum, Modi said that justice will be served and no one who is guilty shall be spared.

The Opposition is riling up attack against the BJP government in the wake of the Unnao and Kathua rape cases. On one hand Aam Aadmy Party said it will gherao the prime minister's residence on Sunday, while the Congress party is planning to take out candlelight vigils in all state capitals across India.

The Allahabad High Court on Friday ordered the CBI to probe all three FIRs, arrest Kuldeep Singh Sengar and cancel the bail of those accused. The court has directed the investigating agency to present the progress report on the same on 2 May at 10 am.

The Allahabad High Court is set to pass its order on the Unnao rape case at 2 pm on Friday. The court on Thursday took strong objection to the delay in the BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar's arrest, as it sought details of the action taken by the government in the matter.

One of the three FIRs filed by the CBI against the rape accused BJP MLA Kuldeep Kumar Sengar specifies the charges he has been booked for. He has been charged under Section 363, 366, 376, 506 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 2 and 4 of the POCSO Act. The FIR mentions the survivor's mother as the complainant.

According to CNN-News18, Uttar Pradesh DGP "wrongly" advised the government on the BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar's arrest, alleging that the Unnao rape case was mismanaged by him.

The seven-member CBI team will quiz medical officers and policemen. Meanwhile, Kuldeep Singh Sengar has denied being arrested or detained by the CBI and said that he had come to the CBI office on his own.

The CBI team reached a Unnao hotel on Friday, where the rape survivor's family is staying, to investigate, even as accused BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar was being questioned in Lucknow.

The primary accused in the Unnao rape case, BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar, is currently being interrogated by the CBI in Lucknow. He is being questioned from 4.45 am on Friday morning. Meanwhile, the BJP MLA's supporters, hoping he gets a clean chit, held special prayers on Friday at the BJP MLA's home in Makhi.

The rape survivor's mother demanded that the accused BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar be awarded death penalty. "I am happy (with CBI detaining him). I want him to get punishment, get death penalty. My husband is dead and he is not going to return now. The accused must be hanged. Kuldeep must be hanged. Both Atul and Kuldeep Sengar must be sent to jail and hanged," she said.

BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar was taken into CBI custody for questioning in the wee hours of Friday morning. He was picked up by the CBI from his house in Lucknow at 4.30 am, reported News18.

The CBI has detained BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar, accused of raping a minor last year, on Friday, a day after the Uttar Pradesh government handed over the probe to the central agency. The investigating agency has registered three cases against him and is currently questioning Sengar at its Lucknow office, reports said.

As outrage mounted over the alleged gangrape of a minor girl over a year ago, the Allahabad High Court on Thursday rebuked the Uttar Pradesh government for being tardy in arresting the prime accused, BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar, despite an FIR against him, warning that it may be forced to observe that the "law and order has collapsed in the state".

The FIR itself came days after the Unnao girl tried to self-immolate in front of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's house on Sunday accusing authorities of inaction, and the death of her father in custody the next day allegedly after being beaten up by the politician's brother and their henchmen in front of policemen.

As the public outcry raged amid growing demands by political parties and civil society for the legislator's arrest, protests were also held outside Adityanath's house. The police put the onus on the CBI to arrest the MLA, who has remained defiant and has dubbed allegations as a political conspiracy.

The FIR was registered against Sengar under various sections of the IPC, including for rape, kidnapping and criminal intimidation as well as under provisions of the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Under POCSO, an accused has to be arrested immediately.

The case was registered hours before the high court was to hear the matter, and so was the Uttar Pradesh government's decision on transferring the case to the CBI late last night.

"Police is not ready to register FIR of a minor rape victim. In spite of the SIT report, you are repeating that you can take any action only after further investigation. If this is the conduct of the police in the state, who will a victim approach to register a complaint," the court said.

"If this is the stand you are repeatedly taking, then we will be forced to observe in our order that law and order has collapsed in the state," it said.

The court, which is expected to pass an order on Friday, took strong objection to the delay in the MLA's arrest, as it sought details of the action taken by the government in the matter.

The court was told by the Advocate General that three of the accused in the case were arrested, including the MLA's brother, but any further action would depend on statements of the complainant and witnesses.

Observing that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) report showed that the medical officers and police officers were hand in glove with the accused to save them, the court said since these officers have been arrested already why further investigation was needed to arrest the main accused.

Senior Advocate GS Chaturvedi, who had moved the court, said the SIT headed by senior police officers conducted preliminary investigation and then filed a report after which the FIR was registered.

Meanwhile, the Centre issued a notification approving the CBI probe into the case, officials said later in the evening in New Delhi.

When asked when Sengar would be arrested, Principal Secretary (Home) Arvind Kumar told reporters in Lucknow that the CBI would take a decision on this.

State Director General of Police OP Singh said the minor had not named the MLA before the magistrate earlier as she feared for her life. The government has decided to extend security to the family of the 17-year-old girl, he added.

Kumar dismissed allegations that police was trying to shield the MLA.

Strong reactions came from opposition parties, who demanded immediate arrest of the MLA, with senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his silence over the Unnao rape case.

Sibal also alleged that Modi was "not serious" about the crimes against women across the country, in an apparent reference to another rape case in Kathua, Jammu and Kashmir, where the BJP is in the ruling alliance with the PDP.

Several Union ministers including Mahesh Sharma, Piyush Goyal and Maneka Gandhi, however, sought to defend the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh, saying it is committed to protecting women, and ensuring that law takes its course.

Two doctors have been suspended and disciplinary proceedings initiated against three others for laxity in providing the victim's father with proper medical care and treatment prior to his judicial custody and at the district hospital, officials said.

Kumar said the government decided to transfer the case to the CBI after lodging the case into the incidents of 4 June, 2017, (alleged rape) and since the two other cases of 3 April this year (cross FIRs on the beating up of the victim's father leading to his death) are connected, they will also be transferred to the CBI.

The teen rape survivor demanded immediate arrest of the MLA, saying the CBI probe could be conducted later.

"Why is he being shielded? If the MLA is allowed to remain out he will not leave my uncle... He had earlier too hatched conspiracies against my kin," she said.

With inputs from PTI