FIR filed against BSP MLA for rape

The FIR,under Sections 376 (rape) and 354 (outraging the modesty of a woman) of the IPC,was filed on a complaint by the victim,who is in Banda district jail.

Addressing a press conference,Cabinet Secretary Shashank Shekhar Singh said UP DGP Karamvir Singh got the CB-CID report on the case today. “On the basis of the preliminary findings of the CB-CID,an FIR has been lodged against MLA Dwiwedi and his four associates —- Rajendra Shukla,Surendra Neta ,Ravan and Garg. Chief Minister Mayawati has given clear instructions to ensure actions as per the law in this case,” Singh told reporters.

“The girl had stated that someone called Garg was involved in the crime,” said DIG Chitrakoot Dham Satish Kumar Mathur. On January 1,Chief Minister Mayawati had directed the CB-CID wing of Uttar Pradesh police to inquire into the girl’s allegations. The preliminary report said the girl from Banda had committed theft by taking Rs 5,000 in cash and a cellphone set from the MLA’s house,for which she is in jail.

The girl submitted her prayer applications before a court in Banda on January 10 and alleged that she was raped at the house of a ruling party MLA in Banda. The court then ordered the Banda district police to take immediate legal action.

“The girl had made at least 150 calls after leaving the MLA’s house. The cellphone belonged to the daughter-in-law of the MLA Dwivedi,” cabinet secretary Singh explained. He said the girl had stayed at Dwiwedi’s house from December 8 to 12. Singh made it clear that this was the finding of the initial report. He denied the police would give a clean chit to anyone in this case.

Earlier in the day,DGP Singh and ADG (CB-CID) Gurbachan Lal met cabinet secretary Singh and discussed possible actions against Dwivedi. Finally,the matter was taken before Mayawati,who gave the nod for legal action.

The rape case has become a political weapon in the hands of Opposition parties. UPCC chief Rita Bahuguna Joshi and state BJP president Surya Pratap Shahi separately visited Banda over the issue. A team of National Commission for Woman visited the area to collect details about the incident.

Under pressure,Mayawati decided to suspend Dwiwedi from her party. The first-time MLA represents Naraini seat of Banda district.

The Naraini constituency will be a reserved seat after the delimitation. Sources in the BSP said he was eying a BSP ticket to contest the assembly polls in 2012 from Banda seat.