Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh): Former Indian Police Officer (IPS) Amitabh Thakur, was on Friday arrested by the Hazratganj police for abetment to suicide by a rape victim outside the Supreme Court. Thakur was arrested on Friday after a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the matter filed a case against him for alleged abetment of self-immolation, criminal conspiracy and making forged documents.
A 24-year-old woman had attempted suicide with a man outside the Supreme Court on August 16. The woman had sustained 85 per cent burns in the self-immolation bid and the man, 27, had suffered 65 per cent burns and later both succumbed to their injuries in Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital.
Before taking the step, both had recorded a Facebook Live video in which she disclosed her identity claiming that she was allegedly raped by Bahujan Samaj Party MP Atul Rai in 2019. She had also levelled serious allegations against the police and other authorities, including SSP Amit Pathak, retired IG Amretired IG Amitabh Thakur for shielding the accused. She had also filed the rape case against Rai in 2019. The MP has been in judicial custody in the case for the last two years.
READ: Woman who attempted self-immolation outside Supreme Court dies
In March, the woman had filed a plea in the Supreme Court, seeking transfer of her rape case from Allahabad to Delhi for a fair trial and claimed that she faced a threat to her life. Later in August, a local court in Varanasi issued a non-bailable warrant against her in the forgery case based on a complaint filed by Rai's brother.
On the orders of the Chief Minister, the investigation of the case was handed over to IPS Neera Rawat and RK Vishwakarma. The inquiry committee has to submit its report to the government in two weeks.
Following the inquiry, Thakur was summoned and placed under house arrest on August 23 while he was on his way to Gorakhpur. He was also prohibited to go out of Lucknow.
On June 24, he was called to the Uttar Pradesh Police Recruitment and Promotion Board for his statement.
READ: UP govt refuses to share information on compulsory retirement of Amitabh Thakur
On December 18, 2020, Thakur had filed a case against the girl and her aide. Thakur had alleged that the woman and associate had made vulgar comments against Thakur and his family. In his FIR, Thakur had also mentioned that on 6 November 2020 at 9 pm, the girl and on 7 November at 11 am, the woman's associate had threatened Thakur on phone.
After this, both of them released the video accusing Amitabh of working as Atul Rai's agent.
The arrest comes after Thakur had announced that he will launch his own political party. Proposing the name 'Adhikar Sena' for the party, Thakur has asked his supporters to suggest alternative names if they want.
