Unnao rape case: Rahul Gandhi leads midnight candlelight protest; updates

Unnao rape case: Rahul Gandhi leads midnight candlelight protest; updates Allahabad High Court came down heavily on the Adityanath government today regarding the Unnao rape case, asking it whether it proposes to arrest accused BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar

The Unnao rape case involving Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar as the key accused was handed over by the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) due to the intervention of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), according to news agency reports. However, the PMO's

intervention is not likely to blunt the Opposition's attack on the government, with Congress President Rahul Gandhi holding a candlelight protest at India Gate at midnight today over the Unnao and Kathua rape incidents.

Meanwhile, the Allahabad High Court came down heavily on the Adityanath government today regarding the Unnao rape, asking it whether it proposes to arrest accused Sengar.

When the government submitted before the court that for arresting the rape-accused MLA, it needed to do further investigation, the HC said it would "be forced to observe" in its order "that law and order has collapsed in the state". The court will pronounce its order tomorrow.

Several Union ministers today sought to defend the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh, which is facing criticism over its handling of the alleged gangrape of a minor girl in Unnao, saying that it is committed to protecting women and ensuring that the law takes its course.

However, despite the Centre and the state government's attempt at a defence, Congress leader Kapil Sibal attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his alleged silence over the Unnao rape case and questioned why the accused BJP MLA was yet to be arrested. Sibal also asked Modi to observe a fast over the incidents of rape and to register his protest against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over the Unnao rape case.

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