Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak announced on Sunday that the perpetrators of the Ayodhya rape case will receive severe punishment, serving as a deterrent for future generations. He criticized the Samajwadi Party (SP), accusing it of harboring hooliganism and anarchy in its ranks. Pathak’s comments came after SP leaders called for DNA testing of the accused.
The police arrested Moid Khan, a bakery owner in Bhadarsa Nagar, Ayodhya, and his employee Raju Khan on July 30 in connection with the rape of a minor. The two men allegedly raped the girl two months ago, recorded the act, and the incident came to light when the girl was found pregnant during a medical checkup.
Pathak accused the SP of historically supporting criminals and criticized SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav for urging court protection for the rape survivor. He asserted that the state government stands with the survivor and is taking continuous action against the perpetrators.
The rape case has sparked significant political controversy, with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath alleging that Moid Khan is affiliated with the SP and is part of the team of Faizabad MP Awadhesh Prasad. In response, the Ayodhya district administration demolished Khan’s bakery, citing it was illegally built over a pond.
A BJP delegation, led by Rajya Sabha MP Baburam Nishad, met the survivor’s family to gather information and promised to submit a detailed report. The case has intensified political rivalries, with both the BJP and SP trading accusations over their handling of crime and governance.
