Ayodhya rape case: Survivor’s mother claims Samajwadi Party leaders told her to drop complaint, offered money

The mother of a 12-year-old girl, who was reportedly gangraped in Ayodhya, claims that local Samajwadi Party members pressured her to drop the complaint against Moid Khan, a party official, by offering her money.

As per an India Today report, the mother stated that Mohammed Rashid, SP's Bhadarsa Nagar Panchayat chairperson, offered her money to “settle the case”.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit on Sunday (Aug4) came to the defence of Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, whose call for a DNA test for the two men accused of raping a 12-year-old girl in Ayodhya stirred a fresh controversy.

Dikshit told PTI, “What Akhilesh Yadav is asking for, the DNA tests, have been used in similar cases before to confirm the identity of the accused or when there are suspicions from the police or administration.”

On Saturday, Yadav had called for a DNA test for the two men accused of the crime. He stated, "Without a DNA test in the Bhadarsa case of Ayodhya, BJP's allegation will be considered biased."

On Sunday, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) delegation, headed by Rajya Sabha MP Baburam Nishad, visited the family of the rape survivor in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. After the visit, Nishad said, "We spoke to the victim's mother and we will submit our report to the national leadership. Our Uttar Pradesh government is not going to spare the accused who committed this crime."

He also remarked, "Akhilesh Yadav talks about DNA testing. He talks about PDA but he cannot seeand hear the pain of this daughter (victim). The government will take such action against them (accused) that many generations will remember it. I request CM Yogi Adityanath to increase the financial amount of Rs 5 lakh to Rs 25 lakh."

BJP leaders, including Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, have claimed that Moid Khan, who operates a bakery in Bhadarsa Nagar under the Purakalandar police station area, is affiliated with the Samajwadi Party and works with Faizabad MP Awadhesh Prasad.

Deputy Chief Minister Maurya commented on 'X' in Hindi, stating, "It is the Samajwadi Party's inherent trait to shield rapists."

What is the incident?

On July 30, Ayodhya police arrested Moid Khan and his employee Raju Khan for allegedly raping a minor two months ago and recording the incident. The crime was discovered after a recent medical examination revealed that the victim was pregnant.

The Ayodhya gang rape case has taken a political turn, as it is being alleged said that Moid Khan is a member of the Samajwadi Party. Byelections will be held for 10 Assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh, including Milkipur in Ayodhya, which was vacated by SP's Awadhesh Prasad after he won Lok Sabha seat. The dates for the by-elections haven't been decided yet.

(With inputs from agencies)