Rahul lands,meets victims

On his suggestion,state Congress president Rita Bahuguna Joshi handed over a cheque for Rs 1 lakh from the party fund to the family of the Fatehpur girl. The party has already provided financial assistance to the Banda girl.

Originally,Rahul was only to visit Kanpur. But due to poor visibility in the morning,his aircraft could not land at Ahirwana airport. He then flew to Khajuraho and drove to Banda’s Shehbaazpur village — close to the MP-UP border — taking everyone by surprise. He spent about half-hour with the woman and her family.

“He asked for detailed information and said he will help us get justice,” the woman said. She said she told Rahul that Rajju Patel,who had kidnapped her,was still at large. “I told him no action has yet been taken against the DM and SP of Banda.” She said she was unsafe in the village and feared an attack by the MLA’a aides. “I told him I need a house in Banda city,” she added. Rahul met the Fatehpur girl and her family in the ICU of LLR Hospital. Three youths of Udrauli village had attacked the girl with a sharp-edged weapon,chopping off one of her ears and inflicting severe injuries on her hands,face and head. The girl’s father,Badlu Ram,said: “Rahul gave me his office phone number and asked me to call whenever I need help.”

He said the financial support provided by the Congress will help meet his daughter’s medical expenses. In the evening,Rahul went to the Sultanpur civil hospital where a woman,who was raped and attacked on February 1,was lying unconscious.

Officiating SP,Sultanpur,Ajay Shanker Rai said the woman was attacked and her belongings looted by four men on the night of February 1. All four have been arrested and a case has been lodged. Attempts to contact her doctor were futile,said K L Sharma,Rahul’s representative. Rahul called doctors from Sultanpur’s Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital to provide her with medical care.

Later,he asked the National Commission for Women to look into the cases. A team headed by NCW chairperson Girja Vyas,is expected to reach Amethi on Tuesday.