No threat to life to 2017 Unnao rape victim's lawyer's wife as per central security agency report: MHA tells Supreme Court

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) told the Supreme Court on Wednesday that as per a confidential report of the Central Security Agency, there is no specific threat to the wife of the deceased lawyer of the 2017 Unnao rape victim and her brother-in-law..The MHA responded to an application filed by Seema Singh (wife of late lawyer Mahendra Singh) and Dharmendra Singh (her brother-in-law) seeking Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) protection when they travel to Delhi or Lucknow..It was stated in the application that security by CRPF was "stationary" and that it leaves applicants and family of applicants exposed to goons and followers when they leave their residence..This application was filed in the suo motu cases being heard by a Bench of Chief Justice of India SA Bobde and Justices AS Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian regarding the alarming rise in child rape cases across the country..In its reply filed on April 7, MHA states that on receipt of the application, a central security agency was duly consulted and and per its report, "there is no input at present, indicating any specific threat to the applicants, Mrs Seema Singh (wife of Late Mahender Singh, Advocate) and Mr Dharmendra Singh"..However, the Centre has stated that the Uttar Pradesh government was requested this month to consider their requests as per local threat assessment..MHA has further submitted that Police is a State subject and thus the primary responsibility of providing security to a person lies with the State government or Union Territory in whose jurisdiction the individual ordinarily resides.."In compliance with August 2019 order, CRPF security is being provided to the victim, relatives and advocate in UP and Delhi. UP police had also simultaneously involved CRPF in security of Advocates and relatives of victim who were not mentioned in August, 2019 order and their security was taken over by MHA/CRPF," the affidavit reads..Through Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, MHA has clarified that the report by the central security agency cannot be produced in open court, as they are secret documents which would be filed in a sealed cover..In August, 2019, the Supreme Court had granted CRPF security to the mother of the victim, her advocate, and other family members including the brother of the lawyer, Dharmendra Singh..The Unnao rape survivor, a minor, was kidnapped and raped by former BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar between June 11-20, 2017. She was then sold for Rs. 60,000, after which she was recovered..In 2018, the Unnao rape case took a controversial turn after a lorry without a number plate rammed into the car in which the victim was travelling. The victim and her lawyer were critically injured, while two of her aunts passed away. The lawyer eventually succumbed to his injuries. The wife of the lawyer had alleged foul play on the part Sengar..Sengar was convicted and sentenced for rape and subsequently for his role in the death of the victim's father in police custody..The Supreme Court later ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the accident and directed the State of Uttar Pradesh to award an interim compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the wife of the lawyer..Unnao Rape: CBI granted two weeks to complete probe into accident, victim’s lawyer to get 5 lakh compensation.Follow Bar and Bench channel on WhatsAppDownload the Bar and Bench Mobile app for instant access to the latest legal news.