CID files chargesheet in Banda rape case

The Criminal Investigation Department of the Uttar Pradesh government on Thursday filed a chargesheet against Bahujan Samaj Party member of Legislative Assembly Purshottam Naresh Dwivedi for allegedly raping a 17-year-old Dalit girl.

"We believe in taking prompt action against wrongdoers no matter how high and mighty they may be. Keeping this in mind the crime branch of the CID had submitted a chargesheet against our party MLA in record time," UP Chief Minister Mayawati told mediapersons.

"The government has also moved an application to transfer the case to a fast-track court so that timely justice could be dispensed," she added. 

Reiterating the names of all police and jail officials against whom punitive action was ordered by the government for their alleged role in the case, the CM said, "We have made it a point not to spare anyone who was responsible for dereliction of duty."

Mayawati was referring to the policemen, who according to the victim not only falsely implicated her, but also assaulted her in jail.  

Flaying opposition parties for their criticism of her government in dealing with the rape cases in Banda and Kanpur she said, "I wish to ask opposition leaders, particularly those from the Congress, to cite an example where their government has been as prompt and impartial in initiating action against its own leaders involved in criminal activities or scams."

She said that both in the Banda rape case as well as the murder case of the 11-year-old girl in Kanpur, her government has been quick in ordering a CID probe. 

"I would advise the opposition to stop making wild and baseless allegations about deteriorating law and order under my government," she said.