BJP opposition leader’s son booked for rape, Congress demands his resignation

The 35-year-old accused Palash Chandel and the woman were in a relationship from 2019 after the former promised to marry her. He also made her go through an abortion. He later denied marrying her saying she is from another caste, the police said. “The woman pleaded with him to marry him but when he broke all communication with her she approached us,” said Mahila Thana Station House Officer (SHO) Kavita Dhurve.

Based on her complaint, the police registered an FIR under section 376 (2) (n) (commits rape repeatedly on the same woman), 313 (Causing miscarriage without woman’s consent) of the IPC and section 3 (punishment for offences done by person who is not SC or ST) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities Act) 1989.

Palash’s father Narayan Chandel is an MLA from Janjgir Champa where the case has been transferred. Repeated phone calls and text messages to Narayan to seek their version on the case went unanswered till the time of going to press. Palash’s phone was switched off. Congress spokesperson Dhananjay Thakur said, “In light of the rape case against Narayan Chandel’s son, we demand immediate resignation of Chandel as leader of opposition. The BJP must expel him from the party.