BJP lawmaker booked on rape charges in Uttarakhand

A case of rape under section 376 was lodged against Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Suresh Rathore at Bahadarabad police station in Haridwar. The police said that a case has been registered and further action will be taken after investigation.

Haridwar:In a shocking incident, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator in Uttarakhand has been accused of rape by a woman. A case of rape under section 376 was lodged against Jwalapur MLA Suresh Rathore at Bahadarabad police station on Friday in Haridwar after a court's order.

A few days ago, Rathore had lodged a complaint against the complainant and two of her acquaintances for allegedly blackmailing him and demanding Rs 36 lakh from him. Following this, the Jawalpur police had taken the woman into custody. However, now the woman has levelled rape charges against the MLA. The police said that a case has been registered and further action will be taken after investigation.

Speaking to the media, after the case was filed, Rathore said that he is a public representative and law-abiding citizen so would cooperate with the court and police in the investigation process. He also said that he has been falsely implicated in order to malign his political image by his political rivals. It is to be noted that Rathore is the second MLA from Uttarakhand after Dwarahat MLA Mahesh Negi against whom such serious charges have been levelled.