3 min readLucknowUpdated: Dec 25, 2025 07:49 AM IST
Om Prakash Rajbhar, who heads BJP ally Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) in UP, made the remark while he was heading to attend the Assembly session in the morning. (File photo)
Uttar Pradesh Cabinet minister Om Prakash Rajbhar Wednesday mocked the Unnao rape survivor, laughing at her for staging a protest in Delhi.
The woman and her family members had protested at India Gate on Tuesday, hours after the Delhi High Court suspended the sentenceof former BJP MLA Kuldeep Sengar, the accused in the case, pending a final decision on the appeal against his life sentence.
Rajbhar, who heads BJP ally Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) in UP, made the remark while he was heading to attend the Assembly session in the morning.
Media persons asked him about police apathy towards the rape survivor in Delhi, after purported vidoe surfaced of the victim being dragged away by police personnel.
As a media person said the victim was picked up from India Gate, Rajbhar, laughing loudly, said: “India gate? Ghar to unka Unnao hai (Why India gate? She is from Unnao).”
He further said, “The court has issued directions that Sengar would stay away from the family, maintaining a 5-km distance. Why a dharna in Delhi when the court has given directions ensuring security. Where is the question of lack of security?”
While Rajbhar did not respond to calls seeking comment, his son and SBSP national general secretary Arun Rajbhar said, “So, Om Prakash Rajbhar should cry over this, then it would be fine. Investigation has already been done in the case. The court has given directions on security for the family. There is nothing left to say.”
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The state government had allegedly withdrawn security of the survivor and her family, claiming there is no need for it since Sengar was convicted and was in jail.
Sengar was sentenced to life imprisonment in December 2019 by a Delhi trial court, after it found him guilty under Section 376 (2) (rape) of the IPC and Sections 5(c) & 6 of the POCSO Act for raping a minor. The case was probed and prosecuted by the CBI.
Sengar, who is currently in prison, will not be out until a similar order suspending his sentence in the case of custodial killing of the minor’s father is issued by the Delhi HC.
Bhupendra Pandey is the Resident Editor of the Lucknow edition of The Indian Express. With decades of experience in the heart of Uttar Pradesh’s journalistic landscape, he oversees the bureau’s coverage of India’s most politically significant state. His expertise lies in navigating the complex intersections of state governance, legislative policy, and grassroots social movements. From tracking high-stakes assembly elections to analyzing administrative shifts in the Hindi heartland, Bhupendra’s reportage provides a definitive lens on the region's evolution.
Authoritativeness He leads a team of seasoned reporters and investigators, ensuring that The Indian Express’ signature "Journalism of Courage" is reflected in every regional story. His leadership is central to the Lucknow bureau’s reputation for breaking stories that hold the powerful to account, making him a trusted figure for policy analysts, political scholars, and the general public seeking to understand the nuances of UP’s complex landscape.
Trustworthiness & Accountability Under his stewardship, the Lucknow edition adheres to the strictest standards of factual verification and non-partisan reporting. He serves as a bridge between the local populace and the national discourse, ensuring that regional issues are elevated with accuracy and context. By prioritizing primary-source reporting and on-the-ground verification, he upholds the trust that readers have placed in the Express brand for nearly a century. ... Read More
