Former Samajwadi Party minister Gayatri Prajapati and his two accomplices have been sentenced to life on charges of gang rape. He and his two accomplices Ashok Tiwari and Ashish Shukla have also been fined Rs 2 lakh. The special court in Lucknow had two days back pronounced Prajapati guilty in the gang rape case, and had also convicted his two associates.
Judge Pawan Kumar Rai of the special MP/MLA court pronounced the judgement under Sections 482/378/407 of the Indian Penal Code.Seven people, including Prajapati, were charged in the case. The case pertains to a complaint filed by a woman from Chitrakoot accusing the former SP minister and his accomplices of gang rape.
The woman had alleged that the accused forcefully had physical intercourse with her minor daughter as well. Following directions of the Supreme Court of India, an FIR was lodged against Prajapati and six others on 18 February 2017. All seven were charged with gang rape, threat to life, and violation of the POCSO Act.
Prajapati was arrested on 18 March 2017 following the complaint. Vikas Verma, Amarendra Singh, Chandrapal and Rupeshwar were the others who were charged in the case. However, the court acquitted these four during its previous hearing.