Maharashtra: A former BJP MLA and a dismissed police constable have been booked following allegations that they sexually assaulted a 22-year-old woman after allegedly forcing her to consume alcohol and threatening her at gunpoint.
The incident was reported from the Kalyan area of Thane district in Maharashtra. According to the Padgha Police, an FIR has been registered against Narendra Pawar, former BJP MLA from Kalyan West, and Shailesh Patil, a dismissed police constable, based on a complaint filed by the survivor.
Police officials said on Thursday that the woman has alleged she was threatened with a firearm and subjected to gang rape. A case has been registered against both accused under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including charges related to gang rape, criminal intimidation with a weapon, and other offences.
According to the complaint, the alleged assault took place at a farmhouse in Bapgaon, Bhiwandi. The woman stated that she had been facing difficulties in her marital life, and Narendra Pawar had allegedly invited her to his office, claiming he would help resolve her issues.
She alleged that on September 13, Pawar and Patil took her to the farmhouse in Bapgaon, where they threatened her with a gun, forced her to consume alcohol, and sexually assaulted her. The complainant further stated that one of the accused’s associates later dropped her back home.
Evidence Shared Before Filing Complaint:
The woman claimed that on September 16, she contacted Congress corporator Kanchan Kulkarni through social media and informed her about the alleged assault. She also shared video clips and WhatsApp chats, which she says support her allegations. With Kulkarni’s assistance, the survivor subsequently filed a complaint at the Padgha Police Station, leading to the registration of the FIR.
Police Investigation Underway:
Officials said that, acting on the directions of Maharashtra Director General of Police Sadanand Date, Senior Inspector Pankaj Giri of Padgha Police Station examined the complaint before registering the FIR under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Police have identified the accused, and efforts are underway to arrest them.
Narendra Pawar Denies Allegations:
Narendra Pawar has denied all allegations, describing them as false and politically motivated. He announced that he is resigning from all party positions to protect the BJP’s image.
