Swati Maliwal writes to PM Modi, demands that rape-accused MLA be expelled

New Delhi, July 30: Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal on Tuesday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding the expulsion of rape-accused BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar from the party.

In the letter, also addressed to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP working president J P Nadda, Maliwal also sought the MLA's expulsion from the Uttar Pradesh Assembly. Sengar was arrested on April 13 last year for allegedly raping a minor girl at his residence in Uttar Pradesh's Unnao district.

The jailed MLA and nine others were booked for murder on Monday, a day after the car in which the 19-year-old rape survivor, her family and lawyer were travelling was hit by a speeding truck in Rae Bareli. Two of the victim's aunts were killed in the crash while she and her advocate were critically injured.

In her letter, Maliwal alleged that the demand to sack Sengar had so far fallen on deaf ears. "Only because the victim and her family dared to report the crime of an MLA belonging to the ruling party, the BJP, she was ravaged by him and her entire family was destroyed. The lawyer who stood by her and tried to support her is presently in a condition worse than the girl," the DCW chief said.

However, the most shocking aspect of the entire case is that despite mounting evidence against the MLA, he continued to be in power and enjoy unadulterated clout over the police, jail, hospital authorities and entire UP administration, she said. Maliwal alleged that the BJP's patronage had enabled Sengar to "unabashedly ravage the lives of the rape victim and her family".

She said the "dignity of a woman is far more important than a rogue, criminal MLA" and she hoped steps will be taken for Sengar's immediate removal from both the UP Assembly and the BJP. Amid growing clamour for Sengar's expulsion, the Uttar Pradesh BJP said earlier on Tuesday that the party had suspended the four-time MLA from Bangermau long ago.

Maliwal visited the Unnao rape survivor at a hospital in Lucknow for the second day on Tuesday. The Unnao rape case had come to light after the victim allegedly attempted self-immolation outside Adityanath's residence. The victim's family has filed a complaint, alleging "conspiracy" behind Sunday's car crash.

PTI