Journalism of Courage
The Bijnore district administration has replied to a UP government letter in which it had sought opinion on whether a gangrape case against state minister Manoj Paras could be withdrawn.
A local court has issued a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against the minister for not responding to summons for personal appearance. The case was registered in Bijnore district in 2007 on the courts direction.
Paras is MLA from Nagina constituency of Bijnore and holds charge of minister of state for stamp and registration. Sources said the state government had sent a letter to the Bijnore district administration in June this year,seeking information on 13 points,including whether the case against Paras could be withdrawn in public interest.
Opinion of the superintendent of police,district magistrate and the prosecuting officer had been sought on the matter. Sources confirmed the reply from the Bijnore administration had been received and was being examined.
In 2006,a 34-year-old woman had alleged that Paras,who was then a local SP leader,had called her to his home saying he wanted to help her husband with his business work. She alleged Paras raped her in his house. She named three others Jaipal,Anshu and Kunwar Saini in the case.
Her lawyer Rajender Kumar said that when she went to the police to lodge a complaint,she was turned away.
She later moved court,seeking direction to the police to register a case.
