Unnao rape survivor's letter to CJI: SC to hear matter today

The Supreme Court will hear the matter relating to a letter written by the Unnao rape survivor detailing threats to her family from the accused in the rape case. The court also asked the Uttar Pradesh authorities to file a status report by Thursday on the accident involving the survivor and her family.

New Delhi: A Supreme Court bench on Thursday will hear the case related to a letter written by the family of the Unnao rape survivor on July 12, addressing the Chief Justice of India, apprehending threat to her life from the accused persons in the case.

Earlier, it had sought a report from its secretary general as to why it had not been brought to his notice.

In her letter to the CJI, the 19-year-old woman had expressed apprehension of threat to her life.

"Unfortunately, the letter is yet to see the light of the day and yet the newspapers flashed it as if I have read the letter," Justice Gogoi said.

The bench, also comprising justices Deepak Gupta and Aniruddha Bose, lamented that newspapers gave the impression that no action was taken by the CJI.

The observations came when senior advocate V Giri, who is assisting the court in the suo motu case on the alarming rise in child rapes, sought urgent hearing of the Unnao rape case.

The apex also asked the Uttar Pradesh authorities to file a status report by Thursday on the accident of the Unnao rape case victim.

The 19-year-old woman, who was allegedly raped two years ago by BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar at his residence in Unnao, was critically injured in a car crash on July 28.

Two of her family members were killed in the accident and her lawyer was seriously injured. The woman's family has filed a complaint alleging "conspiracy" behind the car crash.

Read: Unnao victim accident: Truck owner's brother denies any conspiracy