Unnao: Court asks woman body to help rape survivor rent house in Delhi

As the Unnao rape case hearing is proceeding in a Delhi court, the counsel of the survivor told the court on Saturday that the landlords are unwilling to rent a house to the survivor. The court then directed the Delhi Commission of Women (DCW) to assist the family of the woman, who was allegedly raped by expelled BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar, in getting accommodation in Delhi.

District Judge Dharmesh Sharma, during in-camera proceedings, gave the direction after the counsel for the rape survivor told the court that people were unwilling to rent their houses to them for a short duration due to the background of the case, as quoted by news agency PTI. The court asked the chairperson of DCW to nominate a team of two counselors to assess the family's residential requirements and assist them in getting a suitable place in Delhi at a reasonable rate on rent or in any government accommodation for a period of at least 11 months, he said. The court has put up the matter for further hearing on September 30. The counsel for the rape survivor and her family was asked earlier by the court to make necessary residential arrangements after they said they wanted to reside in the national capital.

READ | Unnao case: HC seeks CBI reply on constable plea in father's murder

Apple Inc asked to disclose location of the MLA

A Delhi court on Saturday asked American multinational Apple Inc to give it by October 9 the details of expelled BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar's location on the day he allegedly raped a 17-year-old girl from Unnao. District Judge Dharmesh Sharma, holding in-chamber proceedings, gave the i-phone maker time till October 9 after the technology firm sought two weeks' time to locate and access the requisite data, said lawyers related to the case. The counsel for Apple India Pvt Ltd told the court that they needed to seek instructions regarding the availability of the data. The company counsel further said they were yet to take a decision on the format in which that, if available, can be supplied to the court. 

READ | Unnao rape: Delhi Court judge records the survivor's statement at AIIMS

Case so far

In July this year, the Unnao rape survivor, her mother, her two aunts, and her lawyer were travelling when they were hit by an over-speeding truck in Uttar Pradesh's Rae Bareli. While her two aunts lost their lives, her lawyer and she was critically injured. The rape survivor's family had then filed a complaint alleging conspiracy behind the accident. Taking cognizance of the case, the Supreme Court in its special hearing a week after the accident framed charges against the accused under POSCO Act Sections 120 b (criminal conspiracy), 363 (kidnapping), 366 (kidnapping or inducing a woman to compel for marriage), 376 (rape). Pleading not guilty, Sengar in the court had then said that he is being targeted because he is an elected representative. The apex court also shifted the five cases connected with the Unnao rape case to Delhi, assigned a special judge for day-to-day trial and ordered that the trial be completed within 45 days. The court also ordered central security for the family. Delhi High Court judge on September 11, arrived at Delhi's AIIMS hospital to record the statement of the survivor. The teen has been in AIIMS since after she was airlifted to Delhi on SC's order. 

Unnao case: Court asks Apple to disclose MLA's location on day of rape

READ | Unnao rape: Delhi Court judge records the survivor's statement at AIIMS