New Delhi: Amid strong opposition from the family, the Unnao police on Saturday exhumed the body of Yunus Khan the key witness in the alleged murder of Unnao rape victim’s father in April this year.

Superintendent of police, Unnao, Harish Kumar said the entire process was carried out in his presence and recorded. “Shahr Qazi, Unnao, Maulana Nasir accompanied us. We are acting in accordance with law,” he said.

The cops informed Khan’s family that they had exhumed his body and sent it for post mortem and that they (family) should stop opposing the legal process.

However, Khan’s wife Shabeena and 13 other family members reached Lucknow, 65 km from Unnao, and she attempted to commit suicide near the chief minister’s residence in protest against exhumation of his body. The policemen stationed there foiled her suicide bid.

“Exhumation of the body has hurt our sentiments. It is against our tradition. Why are the police are not understanding that he (Khan) died at home and everyone in the village attended his funeral. There is nothing fishy or suspicious,” she said.

Suraj Yadav, sub-divisional magistrate (SDM), Hasangunj, said: “The autopsy is important to bring out the truth; they should not obstruct the process. We have given assurance that the body will again be buried with full honour and respect.”

On July 7, the CBI named BJP MLA Kuldeep Sengar’s brother Atul in the charge-sheet in connection with the alleged murder of the rape victim’s father. Kuldeep Sengar is the accused in the rape case.

Shabeena has blamed the rape victim’s uncle of twisting facts to build his case against the accused. She has also given in writing to the authorities that the victim’s uncle tried to lure her with a promise of Rs 8 lakh in bribe so that she does his bidding. She said her husband died of prolonged illness.