Maharashtra: Ex-BJP MLA booked for raping woman corporator

Former Maharashtra BJP MLA Narendra Mehta and a person have been booked for allegedly raping and harassing a woman corporator in Thane district. Police have said that no arrests have been made, as the accused are absconding.

Thane (Maharashtra): A case has been lodged against two persons, including former BJP MLA Narendra Mehta, for allegedly raping and harassing a woman corporator in Bhayandar town of Maharashtra's Thane district on Friday, police said.

The district rural police lodged an FIR against Sanjay Tarkar and Mehta, who resigned from the BJP three days ago, an official from Mira-Bhayandar police station said.

Maharashtra: Ex-BJP MLA booked for raping woman corporator

No arrests have been made, as the accused are absconding, he added.

A video of a city corporator speaking about the alleged harassment and abuse she suffered at the hands of Mehta went viral on social media two days ago, the official said.

The victim also alleged that the abuse had been going on since 1999 and her family faces threat from Mehta, he added.

Mehta and Tarkar are booked under section 376 (rape) and other relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code and Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, he said.

Three days ago, the ex-legislator has confessed in a video that his deeds in the past had brought a "bad name" to the BJP, and he has now realised that he has no place in the party. Hence, he was quitting all party posts.

Narendra Mehta said he remained with the BJP in good as well as bad times and tried his best to work for the Mira-Bhayander township.

(with inputs from PTI)