Unnao: A photograph of Uttar Pradesh MLA and rape accused Kuldeep Sengar was seen in an Independence Day greetings published in a local newspaper.
In the advertisement on Thursday, Sengar`s photo appeared alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in the local edition of a Hindi daily.
The advertisement wishing the local people on Independence Day and Raksha Bandhan was given by the Ugu Panchayat chairman and advocate Anuj Kumar Dikshit. It also carried a photograph of Sengar`s wife who is the zila panchayat chairperson.
As the controversy over Sengar`s photograph surrounded the political circles, Dikshit said: "Sengar is an MLA of our area that is why his photo is there. Till the time he is our MLA his photo can be put up. I am not a member of any political party and what they say, does not concern me. I have not mentioned any party in the advertisement."
Sengar had been charged with the rape of a minor girl in 2018 and is presently in Tihar Jail in Delhi.
A Delhi court had framed charges against Sengar in the rape case. He has also been named in the case pertaining to the death of the victim`s father.
Another case was registered against the former BJP leader after the victim met with a deadly accident last month. He was later expelled from the party.