Prime accused Amit Bhadana, who was arrested in July last year for alleged gang rape of the student in a moving SUV, was spotted on a dais where Kuldeep Ujjawal, a popular Jat leader from Baghpat region, was present.
Ujjawal is Chairman of UP government's Remote Sensing Application Centre and enjoys the rank and status of a Minister of State.
He said the organisers invited him for Dussehra celebrations every year. Since he could not attend the function last time as he was in jail, he participated in the event this year as he was out on bail.
As Bhadana's presence triggered a controversy, Ujjawal said he did not know he would be present there.
A member of the organising committee R K Manjul said Bhadana had come uninvited.