Bihar Speaker sees Left ‘plot’ in rape charge

Bihar Assembly Speaker Sadanand Singh today said that the rape charge levelled against him by a Scheduled Caste woman was motivated by Left ...

Bihar Assembly Speaker Sadanand Singh today said that the rape charge levelled against him by a Scheduled Caste woman was motivated by Left leaders from his Bhagalpur constituency.

Singh today addressed the media surrounded by Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee president Shakeel Ahmed and other party leaders. Asked about reports that a certain section of the Congress too had levelled the same charges, he said: ‘‘It is unfortunate that some Congress members too are dragging my name into the affair.’’

Singh said Bhagalpur CPI leader Ambika Prasad and Ajay Mandal, his opponent during the last Assembly polls, had instigated the affair.

Last week, a complaint was filed in court by a Bhagalpur resident, charging the Speaker, his brother, Kahalgaon DSP Shatrugan Singh and others with her gang rape. Singh said he will quit his post if the charges are proved. ‘‘This woman is the wife of the main accused in my grandson’s kidnapping. On June 17, he was arrested and sent to jail. A few days later, this rape case has been filed against me.’’

Police personnel seen to control the situation during a massive protest over the statehood demand and the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule, in Leh on Wednesday. (ANI Video Grab)

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