Carried Like a Hero: The Sushil Prajapati Case and What It Says About Justice in Uttar Pradesh

On Sunday, May 17, 2026, a man walked out of Ghaziabad jail. He was dressed in white. Multiple marigold garlands hung around his neck. Hundreds of supporters lifted him onto their shoulders. They paraded him like a conquering hero. Slogans filled the air. Victory signs flashed. A convoy of vehicles followed.

The man was Sushil Prajapati.

He is accused of rape.

He spent nine months in custody. A court granted him bail. His supporters turned that bail into a celebration. Videos of the event went viral on X, Instagram, and WhatsApp within hours.

Who Is Sushil Prajapati?

Sushil Prajapati is the city president of Hindu Yuva Vahini in Ghaziabad. Hindu Yuva Vahini is a right-wing organization that operates in Uttar Pradesh. Prajapati was the head of the group’s Ghaziabad unit.

He was arrested on August 11, 2025. The police had announced a Rs 25,000 reward for his arrest. He had been on the run before that. For nine months, he remained in custody. Then, on May 17, 2026, a court granted him bail.

The Victim: An LLB Student with a Dream

The victim is a young woman. She was an LLB student from Modinagar, Ghaziabad. She wanted to build a career in law.

In November 2021, she met Sushil Prajapati. At that time, she was studying law under a senior advocate at the Meerut court. Prajapati told her he could help. He allegedly promised to help her get a chamber at the Ghaziabad court.

The Alleged Crime

According to the FIR, which was registered on August 8, 2025, at Muradnagar police station:

Prajapati took the woman to a flat in his Thar SUV. He told her he was taking her to meet a senior advocate. Inside the flat, he allegedly mixed an intoxicating substance into a cold drink. He gave it to her. He then allegedly raped her. After the assault, he threatened to kill her if she told anyone. He then abandoned her by the roadside and fled.

An FIR was registered under IPC Section 376 (rape) and IPC Section 506 (criminal intimidation).

The Welcome: A Hero’s Return

On May 17, 2026, Sushil Prajapati walked out of Ghaziabad jail. He was dressed in white clothes. Supporters placed multiple marigold garlands around his neck. Then they lifted him onto their shoulders in a victory-style procession.

Supporters raised slogans. They flashed victory signs. A convoy of vehicles joined the procession. Hundreds participated. Videos were recorded and spread across X, Instagram, and WhatsApp on May 18-19.

Case Timeline

Political Reactions: Akhilesh Yadav Speaks Out

The strongest reaction came from Akhilesh Yadav, Samajwadi Party chief and former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. He posted on X condemning the welcome, calling it a “reprehensible” act and squarely attacking the ruling BJP in Uttar Pradesh over the incident.

Akhilesh Yadav questioned the government’s commitment to women’s safety. He pointed out the contradiction: the same political circles that speak about protecting women had a rape accused being celebrated in the streets.

The BJP’s Silence

As of this article, no official response has come from the BJP or the Uttar Pradesh government. No statement condemning the celebration. No statement about the victim’s safety.

Police Response: An Inquiry Launched

Following the circulation of the videos on social media, reports indicated that Ghaziabad Police had begun looking into the celebratory procession and vehicle convoy.

An inquiry has been launched into the celebratory procession and the vehicle convoy.

The Deeper Issues

1. The Glorification of a Rape Accused

A man accused of a serious crime was treated as a hero. Supporters did not wait for a trial or a verdict. They celebrated his release as a victory. This discourages other victims from coming forward.

2. Women’s Safety in Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh has one of the highest rates of crimes against women in the country. Critics say the public celebration of an accused in a rape case raises troubling questions about women’s safety and societal attitudes toward sexual violence.

3. Political Organizations and Sexual Violence

Sushil Prajapati is the city president of Hindu Yuva Vahini. The fact that the head of a political group was accused of rape, and celebrated by supporters, raises serious questions about organizational culture.

4. The Justice System

Bail is not a verdict of innocence. But the celebration disrespected the justice system, intimidated the victim, and suggested the accused felt he had nothing to fear.

5. The Victim’s Safety

She came forward. She filed a complaint. She trusted the system. Now she sees her alleged attacker being carried on the shoulders of supporters. What does she feel? That she should have stayed silent?

What Happens Next?

The police inquiry is ongoing. We do not yet know what action will be taken. But somewhere in Ghaziabad, a young woman watched her attacker being celebrated. The real question is about us — about a society where a rape accused can become a hero, and a silence that permits it.