Jaipur: A Rajasthan minister was yesterday booked for allegedly beating up and raping a woman at his residence here, a charge he claimed as “political conspiracy” to malign his image ahead of the Assembly polls.
Rajasthan minister of state for Dairy, Babu Lal Nagar, had been booked under sections 376 (rape) and 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) of the IPC following direction from the Judicial Magistrate No. 9 in the city, SHO of Sodala Police station Bhawani Singh Shekhawat said.
The case has been referred to CID-Crime Branch as it involved a member of the Assembly, the officer said.
When contacted, the minister claimed it was a “political conspiracy” to tarnish his image ahead of the Assembly elections and said, “I am ready to face any probe in the matter as I know the woman was trying to defame me on the diktat of rival leaders.”
In her complaint, the woman said the minister, who she knew, called her to his official residence in Civil Lines on September 11, where she was raped and assaulted.
The woman also complained that Nagar had threatened her with dire consequences if she opened her mouth against him, the SHO said.
Rejecting the allegations, Nagar said, “On September 11, I was busy with people from my constituency from 8 am to 8 pm. Even my family members were present at my residence. At the specific time (5 pm) mentioned in the complaint, I was with party workers.”
The minister alleged the woman had earlier lodged similar complaints of rape in Murlipura and Banipark police stations in Jaipur, but later changed her statements after blackmailing the alleged accused.
“She had asked for a ticket to contest Zila Parishad elections around four years ago, but was refused by Congress,” Nagar claimed.
Asked whether he will quit the ministerial post, Nagar said, “I will welcome every order of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot”.
