Rape victim’s family alleges pressure by minister’s kin

LUCKNOW/ALLAHABAD - An Uttar Pradesh minister has been accused of shielding his nephew who has been charged with pressuring a minor girl to compromise with a person, who with his two friends, had allegedly raped her. However, police have denied the allegations made by the girls family.

According to the victims father, a resident of Handia area in Allahabad, his daughter was kidnapped by Deepak (name changed) and his family Jan 19. Later, the girl, who studies in Class 12, was taken to Surat and gangraped.

The victims father alleged that Jan 23 he was directed by Sunil Mishra - nephew of Minister of Higher Education Rakesh Dhar Triptahi - to take his daughter back.

“I was instructed by Sunil Mishra not to approach police in connection with my daughter’s rape. When I opposed, I was threatened with dire consequences,” the girl’s father told reporters in Allahabad, some 200 km from Lucknow.

“Police are not taking action against Sunil Mishra as he is the nephew of Rakesh Dhar Tripathi,” the man claimed.

Later, on a compliant registered by the girls father, Deepak was arrested Jan 23.

The girls family also alleged that as Deepak’s family is well known to the ministers nephew, the latter used his clout after which police in their records showed Deepak as a minor.

“We are quite sure he is not a minor. To dilute the case, he has been shown as a minor,” a family member of the girl told reporters.

According to police, Deepak is at present in a juvenile home.

“There are two other accused who have not been named by the girl,” inspector B.L. Rawat told reporters in Allahabad.

Meanwhile, Special Director General Brij Lal told reporters in Lucknow, “The minister, Rakesh Dhar Tripathi, has nothing to do with the case. We have already carried out investigations.”