Marandi aide booked for intimidating victim of rape case he faces; BJP calls it vendetta

Ranchi Police has already filed the chargesheet in the 2021 rape case against Tiwary and others under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, among others.

The first FIR against Tiwary came months after he had filed an intervenor application in Bombay High Court and later a writ petition for a court-monitored CBI probe into the rape allegation against Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren. In June 2021, Tiwary had also written to Jharkhand Chief Secretary and DGP, apprehending a false case against him following the writ applications.

The July 16 FIR, quoting the rape victim’s complaint, stated: “…The bail was granted (to Tiwary) on the condition that he would not influence the witnesses and would fully cooperate with the police, but on the contrary, Sunil Tiwary has been plotting against me for almost 3 years and is trying to implicate me in false cases.”

The FIR also stated that Tiwary was also intimidating a young woman who is supposed depose against Tiwary in the rape case.

BJP spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo said: “Prima facie this looks like a political vendetta case where the ruling government is targeting BJP supporters. Even the FIR raises questions as it is addressed to the prosecutor and not to the officer in-charge of the police station. Law says once a case is registered and a chargesheet has been filed, then a subsequent case arising out of the original one has to be dealt with by the court first. We request that the matter be given to the CBI.”