The city police have booked a local BJP leader from Pimpri-Chinchwad for allegedly raping an eight-year-old girl after luring her with a chocolate on Sunday evening. Suraj alias Savta Bhagwan Ranpise was beaten up by the angry mob that also set his furniture shop on fire before handing him over to the police on Sunday.
Police admitted him to a private hospital for treatment. The victims mother lodged a complaint of rape against Ranpise at the Nigdi police station. According to the police,Ranpise owns Sagar Furniture shop at Yamuna Nagar in Nigdi.
The girl who lives near the shop left her home around 6 pm to buy milk. When she was passing Ranpises shop,he allegedly called her inside and promised her a chocolate. However,when the girl came in the shop,Ranpise pulled down the shutter and then allegedly raped the girl around 6.30 pm.
The girl went home crying. She narrated the entire incident to her mother who raised an alarm and approached local Shiv Sena corporator Sulabha Ubale for help. Soon residents gathered and started beating up Ranpise.
The Nigdi police rushed to the spot and took Ranpise in their custody. Meanwhile,the angry mob set Ranpises shop on fire.
Police then booked Ranpise under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code and admitted him to hospital as he was badly injured. Police sub-inspector B N Kamble is investigating the case.
Meanwhile,senior BJP leader and MP Gopinath Munde,who was in the city on Tuesday,said Ranpise will be suspended from the party. Ranpise was vice-president of BJPs Yamuna Nagar branch in Nigdi.