Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati's birthday celebrations on Saturday was memorable for the Banda rape victim, who was released from prison after a month of incarceration.
The girl's release was ordered by the Chief Minister after the final report of the CB-CID concluded that the theft charges against her lacked evidence.
Emerging from the Banda model jail on Saturday night, the girl told journalists that she wanted rape accused Bahujan Samaj Party MLA Purshottam Naresh Dwivedi “hanged.”
The girl's release was also ordered by the Allahabad High Court, which took suo motu cognisance of the case. The government followed this with the suspension of the station in-charge of the Atarra police station, Abdul Jabbar. He was accused of lodging a fake report at the behest of the MLA.
Addressing people at the newly-constructed Bhimrao Ambedkar auditorium in Ram Manohar Lohia University on Saturday, Ms. Mayawati announced that the girl's case would be tried in a fast track court. She directed the Principal Secretary (Home) to ensure full security for the girl and her family members. She reiterated that the rule of law would be followed to the hilt in her regime and stringent action taken against the guilty, irrespective of their status or position.
Ms. Mayawati took a strong view of the role of the Banda policemen in the episode, saying strict action would be taken against the police personnel whose role had come under a cloud.
The Chief Minister unveiled and laid the foundation of around 600 welfare and public-oriented projects worth Rs. 4000 crore. She also set in motion the Uttar Pradesh Janhit Guarantee Ordinance, 2011, which has been patterned on the lines of the Right to Information Act (RTI). While the money given to the destitute beneficiaries of the ‘Uttar Pradesh Mukhya Mantri Mahamaya Gharib Arthik Madad Yojana ‘ was increased from Rs. 300 to Rs. 400 a month, she also inaugurated the “Mukhya Mantri Mahamaya Sachal Aspatal Yojana “ (mobile hospitals).
Asia's largest sewage treatment plant at Bharwara here was dedicated to the people. The Chief Minister unveiled the restored Hazratganj, main hub of Lucknow. She also released the sixth volume of Mera Sangharshmay Jeevan Tatha BSP Movement ka Safarnama (My struggle and the history of BSP movement).
