Delhi Police took swift action on Thursday, detaining a prominent Congress leader and several party activists who were staging a demonstration near the Parliament complex. The protest was organized to voice strong opposition against a recent court verdict in the highly sensitive Unnao rape case.
Protest Erupts Over Unnao Case Verdict
The detained individuals, led by Delhi Congress chief Anil Chaudhary, had gathered to express their outrage. Their demonstration was a direct response to a Delhi court's decision on Wednesday to acquit former BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar in a related matter. The court found Sengar guilty of kidnapping the victim but cleared him of the rape charge under the POCSO Act, a ruling that has sparked widespread condemnation and public anger.
The protestors carried placards and raised slogans, demanding stricter punishment and justice for the survivor. The location of their demonstration, in the high-security zone near Parliament, immediately drew the attention of law enforcement agencies.
Police Action and Detentions
Officials from the Delhi Police stated that the protest was unauthorized and violated legal protocols for assemblies in the designated New Delhi district. Citing security concerns and the need to maintain public order, the police moved in to disperse the crowd.
Anil Chaudhary and other Congress workers were subsequently detained and taken to a nearby police station. The police action underscores the stringent security measures in place around the Parliament area, especially during sessions. Authorities have reiterated that while the right to protest is respected, it must be exercised within the framework of the law and with prior permission.
Background of the Unnao Case
The Unnao rape case, which emerged from Uttar Pradesh, has been one of the most harrowing and politically charged criminal trials in recent years. The victim, a minor at the time of the crime in 2017, accused the then-powerful BJP legislator, Kuldeep Singh Sengar, of sexual assault. The case gained national infamy not only for the alleged crime but also for a series of tragic events that followed, including a fatal car crash involving the victim and her family.
Sengar was eventually expelled from the BJP and has been serving a life sentence since 2019 for the murder of the victim's father. However, the recent acquittal on the POCSO charge has reopened deep wounds and triggered fresh waves of protest from political parties and civil society groups who see it as a failure of the judicial system to deliver complete justice.
Political Reactions and Fallout
The detention of the Congress workers has ignited a political firestorm. The Congress party has condemned the police action, labeling it as an attempt to stifle democratic dissent and silence voices speaking for justice. Party spokespersons have accused the government of protecting the powerful and failing the victim.
This incident is likely to fuel further political debate on the handling of sexual violence cases and the perceived influence of political figures on the justice system. It also highlights the ongoing tensions between the right to protest and maintaining security in the nation's capital.
As of now, the detained individuals are expected to be released after due legal procedure. However, the protest and the events leading to it have ensured that the Unnao rape case and the quest for accountability remain firmly in the national spotlight.
