‘Case being weakened’: SP, Congress slam govt over BHU ‘rape’ accused bail

The accused — Kunal Pandey and Anand Chauhan, alias Abhishek Chauhan — were released from bail last week after they were granted bail by the Allahabad High Court in July. The two were in jail since December 2023.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, SP president Akhilesh Yadav said, “The news of two of the three accused in the BHU gang rape case, who worked as BJP IT cell officials, getting bail, is condemnable and worrisome. The question is who was pressurizing to weaken the defense in the court. It is a shameful thing that is demoralizing the daughters of the country as there are reports of these rapist not only coming out but also being welcomed with garlands.”

He added, “BJP should clarify whether BJP workers have been given special exemption and freedom to commit rape in the country’s Prime Parliamentary constituency?”

Congress state president Ajay Rai alleged that despite it being such a “heinous crime”, the government continued to protect the accused. “The thinking of the Yogi Adityanath-led government towards women is clear from this incident. First, they tried to protect the accused and when they had to arrest them under pressure, now the case is being weakened by not pursuing it properly in court,” Rai said

“Recently, the Prime Minister said that justice should be provided quickly in cases of crimes against women. But in his own parliamentary constituency, Varanasi, criminals are benefiting from poor follow-up of cases against them. When those committing crimes against women are welcomed with garlands, their morale will go up,” he added.

The Allahabad High Court had directed the accused to “furnish a personal bond and two sureties each in the like amount to the satisfaction of the court concerned”. The HC also imposed certain conditions on the two accused. Anand Chauhan’s bail application was approved on July 2 while Kunal’s was approved on July 4.

According to the prosecution, the victim had gone on a walk with a friend near her hostel when three persons allegedly disrobed her and recorded a video at about 1:30 am on November 2, 2023.