Bulandshahr gang-rape: Congress calls for speedy trial

New Delhi, Aug. 2 (ANI): In wake of the family members of the Bulandshahr gang-rape victims threatening to commit suicide if the accused are not brought to book at the earliest, the Congress on Tuesday urged the judiciary for a speedy trial in the matter. Recapitulating the brutal Nirbhaya gang-rape case, Congress leader Renuka Chowdhury said there is lack of sensitivity, adding it is extremely unfortunate that the rapists roam without any fear. "It is for the court to ensure that there is speedy trial and speedy justice," she told ANI. The Congress leader also vented her ire over Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan's insensitive comments on the Bulandshahr gang-rape case. "With folded hands, I request Azam Khan to spare us. Every morning he says something or the other, I don't know whether he states it intentionally or because of some other reason," Chowdhury said. "Whether he speaks on his own or says so with the government's backing. God knows what he wants to say and what he understands. What I am saying is, please spare us," she added. Khan earlier hinted at a political conspiracy behind the gang-rape of a mother and her 14-year-old daughter in Bulandshahr. Khan said that a desperate opposition could stoop to any level to defame and disgrace the government since the state elections are approaching. He, however, later backtracked from his earlier assertion. "I never said there is a conspiracy by the opposition. I said that as the elections are near, we all should find from where these protests and incidents are coming from. I never said that this was a conspiracy by the opposition," Khan told ANI in Lucknow. "If we were not sensitive about them then how such a quick response would have been made. It is because of their pain that we are saying that accused should be arrested as soon as possible and a proper investigation should be done to find out the truth. This case requires strict action," he added. A fast track court in Bulandshahr yesterday sent the three accused arrested in connection with the case to 14-day judicial custody. "Raisuddin, Savesh and Jawar Singh have been sent to 14-day judicial custody. The Sections that have been imposed are 385, 397, 376 D, 342 of the Indian Penal Code and four POCSO rules," Additional District Government Council Navneet Sharma told ANI. The incident took place earlier on Friday night when a 35-year-old woman and her daughter were allegedly gang-raped by a group of robbers in Bulandshahr district. The victims were on their way from Noida to Shahjahanpur with the other family members when their vehicle was stopped near a cycle repairing shop in Dostpur village on NH-9, which connects Noida and Bulandshahr. (ANI)