The father of an 18-year-old woman, who alleged that she had been raped by BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar and his brothers, died while in police custody in the early hours of Monday.

The rape survivor’s father, Pappu Singh, was rushed to a hospital from the district jail last night and died during treatment on Monday.

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Meanwhile, two police officers and four constables have been suspended in connection with the custodial death. As per media reports, the police have also arrested four persons accused of beating the rape survivor’s father.

District Magistrate Ravi Kumar NG said that the postmortem examination of the victim would be conducted by a panel of doctors to ascertain the cause of death. A probe had been ordered into the matter, added DM.

A PTI report said Pappu was arrested on 5 April under the Arms Act after he was allegedly beaten up by Anil Singh, the MLA’s brother.

Immolation bid

On Sunday, the daughter of the deceased had tried to set herself on fire near Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s residence in Lucknow, alleging that she had been gangraped by the BJP MLA and his brothers. However, the immolation bid was foiled by the police.

The woman had alleged that she was raped in June last year by Kuldeep Singh Sengar, the MLA of Unnao district’s Bangermau constituency, around 90 km from Lucknow.

In-charge of the Gautampalli police station, Vijay Sen Singh, said the woman had also accused the Unnao police of not taking any action and registering a case on her complaint.

The police inspector said the girl was made to appear before Rajiv Krishan, the Additional Director General of Police, Lucknow, who ordered a probe by the Lucknow police.

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Senger denies rape claims

BJP MLA Sengar, who represents the Bangermau constituency in Unnao district, has refuted the allegations against him and said, “It is a conspiracy hatched by my political opponents to tarnish my image and damage my reputation…I have no problem with any probe”.

“Let a probe be conducted, and the guilty be given the stringent punishment. If I am found guilty in the probe, I am ready to face punishment,” said Sengar.

(With agency inputs)