UP rape victim set ablaze on way to court, 5 arrested

Priyanka Gandhi targets BJP, says 'BJP leaders should now come out of false propaganda'

A rape survivor was set ablaze allegedly by five people, including two who had been accused of raping her, on Thursday in Uttar Pradesh's Unnao district. The woman was on way to meet her lawyer to discuss the progress in the rape case.

The survivor, who suffered third-degree burn injuries, is battling for life at a hospital in the state capital.

According to the police sources here, five persons allegedly attacked the victim with lathis and rods before setting her ablaze near Bhatan Kheda village in the district.

The victim was rushed to the district hospital in Unnao, from where she was referred to a speciality centre in Lucknow after her condition deteriorated.

In her statement recorded before a magistrate, the victim named all the five accused persons. Two of the attackers, Shubham Trivedi and Shivam, were cousins. Police said that all the five accused persons have been arrested.

Sources said that the main accused Shivam had raped the victim on several occasions on the pretext of marrying her. She got a case of rape registered in March this year, after he refused to marry her. Shivam later called her on the pretext of settling the matter and allegedly raped her again. This time, his cousin Shubham also joined him.

Shivam, who was arrested in connection with the case, had been released on bail a few days back.

According to the sources, the survivor and her family members had conveyed to the local police that Shubham and Shivam had been exerting pressure on her to withdraw the rape case. "The duo had threatened to eliminate me and my family if I did not withdraw the case," she said.

The doctors said that her condition was "very critical" and suggested that she be shifted to the national capital for further treatment, sources said.

The incident triggered widespread resentment and the Opposition parties accused the Yogi Adityanath government of failing to ensure the safety of women. "The state government is indulging in false propaganda that the law and order situation is good in the state," Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said.

Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav also attacked the BJP government in the state over the incident and demanded the resignation of the chief minister.