Firozabad:
A 22-year-old woman, who was allegedly gang-raped by a Samajwadi Party leader and six other men in Uttar Pradesh's Firozabad district, has accused senior party leader Ram Gopal Yadav's son, Akshay Yadav, of shielding the accused.
The woman, mother of a one-year-old girl, was picked up on November 5 and allegedly raped by Dalbir Singh, husband of a village pradhan or head and six others. She was later dumped in an unconscious state near her house.
The woman's family alleges that the accused is being protected by the state government since he enjoys enormous political clout in about 28 villages in Firozabad, the constituency of Akshay Yadav.
The woman's family claims they complained thrice in the chief minister's janta darbar (or public hearing) and met top cops in the state several times to demand the arrest of the accused and an investigation into the incident.
The family also alleges that it is being threatened by the accused.
A medical examination of the woman has revealed that she is pregnant, which she claims is a fallout of the gang-rape and wants a DNA test done to verify her claim.
She also reportedly wants the foetus aborted for which, doctors say, there is little time since she is already eight weeks pregnant. The 22-year-old survivor wants the foetus preserved for a paternity test.
The woman's statements before a magistrate, mandatory under the law, is yet to be recorded.