The Allahabad High Court on Tuesday declined a request by ex-Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MP Atul Rai to dismiss the ongoing trial proceedings linked to the tragic self-immolation of a woman and her friend outside the Supreme Court in 2021. Justice Rajesh Singh Chauhan of the Lucknow bench ordered the special MP-MLA court to fast-track the trial and avoid unnecessary delays.
The incident, which captured national attention, involved the woman and her friend livestreaming their suicide on Facebook, directly implicating Rai in their distressing final messages. They accused Rai of rape and harassment, and further alleged a conspiracy involving high-ranking police officials.
Rai, who had been previously acquitted in the related rape case, argued that the suicide allegations were baseless and also contested the jurisdiction of the Lucknow Police and local courts over an incident that occurred in Delhi. However, Justice Chauhan dismissed these claims, stating that the matters raised by Rai should be addressed during the trial and not preemptively by the high court.
Justice Chauhan emphasized that the high court’s role was not to evaluate the veracity of the evidence at this stage but to ensure that the trial is conducted fairly. He pointed out that the events leading up to the suicide, including the alleged threats and manipulation by Rai and former IPS officer Amitabh Thakur, gave the Lucknow courts sufficient cause to claim jurisdiction.
The court also noted that part of the cause of action occurred in Lucknow, where the victims had interacted with Thakur and recorded statements that were broadcast live, adding layers to the conspiracy and harassment claims.
Additional Advocate General VK Shahi represented the state’s strong opposition to Rai’s petition, reinforcing the seriousness with which the authorities are treating the allegations of incitement to suicide.
