Woman Alleges Sexual Assault by BJP MLA & Son, Holds Dharna

The woman has sat on a fast outside the collector’s office in Shahjahanpur, demanding justice from the authorities.

A 28-year-old woman has alleged she was sexually assaulted by a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA and his son in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh. The woman sat on a hunger strike outside the Collector’s office in Shahjahanpur to demand justice, reported ANI.

According to Jansatta, the two accused are BJP MLA from Tilhar, Roshan Lal Verma, and his son, Manoj Verma. The victim told Jansatta that the police did not file a complaint against the duo “due to outside pressure.”

BJP MLA Denies Charges

The incident reportedly took place in 2011. A case has been registered against the accused. However, Verma has denied all charges, claiming his rival parties were “raking up the issue for political gain,” Hindustan Times reported.

I haven’t tried to sidestep any investigation in the case. Rival political parties are using the woman, and I hope she understands that.

Roshan Lal Verma to HT

Verma was a member of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) at the time of the incident.

The woman’s movement has been supported by the local unit of the Samajwadi Party (SP), who said: “The present government is protecting rapists and those accused of crimes against women,” the report adds.

Victim Receives Death Threats

ANI reports that the victim has now received death threats from unknown persons, following her dharna outside the Collector’s office.

Avdhesh Singh, the victim’s lawyer told ANI:

Goons came to her house and told her to take back the complaint or else they’ll kill her. 

Avdhesh Singh told ANI

The victim reportedly called off the protest after receiving assurance from the superintendent of police (Shahjahanpur) KB Singh that her case has been transferred to the CB-CID, based on a directive issued by the state government.

The incident comes weeks after nationwide outrage over a young woman’s alleged rape in Unnao by BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar.

(With inputs from ANI, Hindustan Times and Jansatta)

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