Why is Gayatri Prajapati still in UP cabinet, Governor asks CM Akhilesh

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik intervened in the gangrape case against Gayatri Prasad Prajapati on Sunday, asking the state government why the tainted minister has not yet been removed from the cabinet.

The Governor penned a letter to Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav seeking his clarification over the issue.

Speaking over the gangrape case, Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) Javeed Ahmed said, "Gayatri Prajapati is a fugitive. A non-bailable warrant has been issued against him and a police team has also been formed for his arrest. Soon, he will be sent behind bars."

Earlier on Saturday, the special judge of POSCO court Laxmi Kant Rathore issued the non-bailable warrant against him in connection with the rape case.

Also Read: NBW issued against Gayatri Prasad Prajapati; passport revoked

The police had moved the court seeking NBW against the tainted UP cabinet minister.

Gayatri, who is the Transport Minister in Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav’s cabinet, has been absconding since the fifth phase of Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections on February 27. Currently, he is the sitting MLA from Amethi constituency of the state.

His passport has also been revoked for four weeks, after the UP police wrote a letter to Passport department urging to suspend his passport, over suspicion that he may try to flee the nation.

A lookout notice has been issued and the SSB has also been alerted to keep a close watch on the Indo-Nepal border.

The intelligence agencies have been alerted while the airports have been put on high alert.

Also Read: Airports alert to prevent Gayatri Prasad Prajapati from fleeing the nation

A case was filed against the tainted SP minister and six others, under the relevant sections of gangrape and POCSO Act after the Supreme Court order.

FIRs against all the accused had been lodged at Gautampalli Kotwali under sections 376D (gangrape), 376, 511,504, 506 and the Protection of Children From Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Those named in the FIR included: Gayatri Prasad Prajapati, Ashok Tiwari, Pintoo Singh, Vikas Verma, Chandrapal, Rupesh and Ashish Shukla.

The decision against the UP transport minister came on a plea filed by a woman of Chitrakoot district of the state, accusing Prajapati of raping her several times during past two years.

The woman had stated that the UP minister had promised to appoint her on senior post in the party. The woman had also alleged that Prajapati sexually harassed her daughter.

Also Read: Police raids gang-rape accused UP minister Gayatri Prajapati’s residence

According to the 35-year-old victim, the FIR was not lodged by the UP police against the minister, despite her several attempts.

The Apex Court had also asked the Uttar Pradesh government to file a report of the entire matter within eight weeks.

The gangrape victim had on Friday alleged to have received death threats from Prajapati and his goons.

Earlier on February 28, a police team, led by Circle Officer Amita Singh, raided Gayatri’s residence to arrest him for his alleged involvement in the gangrape case, but he was not present there.