Journalist arrested on rape charge

NEW DELHI, July 22: A 50-year-old journalist accredited with the press information bureau allegedly raped a woman in his Paharganj house on June 7. He reportedly confessed to the rape a month later and is presently lodged in Tihar jail after his bail plea was rejected. Vardhman Bhandari who holds a senior position in the Hindi weekly magazine Prachand had reportedly advertised in newspapers for workers. A couple from Uttar Pradesh came to his office and were hired. While the husband, Kanwar Singh, tranported copies of the magazine to the railway station, his wife worked as a domestic help.

Bhandari reportedly raped her on June 7 when Kanwar Singh had gone with the magazines. Singh8217;s 7-year-old son was witness to the rape and even gave his statement in court.

The case was registered at the Paharganj police station only on July 7. The victim, in her statement, told the police that she had not informed the police because the journalist had threatened her with dire consequences. Bhandari was arrested on July 7.