Delhi: Former BJP MLA booked for allegedly raping daughter-in-law
A former MLA of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was booked for allegedly raping his daughter-in-law on the intervening night of December 31 and January 1, this year, Delhi police said on Saturday. The politician, Manoj Shokeen, allegedly assaulted the victim at gunpoint. She claimed she remained quiet for so many months to "save her marriage" and protect her brother. Here's what went down.
Woman approached police on Thursday, Shokeen was booked
An FIR was registered against Shokeen, the former two-time MLA from Nangloi Assembly seat after the victim approached police on Thursday. She told police that on December 31, 2018, she left her maternal house with her husband, brother, and a cousin. They were bound for her in-laws' house in Meera Bagh. However, her husband took a detour and took her to a hotel in Paschim Vihar.
After partying, victim went to her in-laws' house
"When we reached the hotel, some of my relatives were already present there to celebrate New Year's Eve. After the party, we went to my in-laws' house at Meera Bagh at around 12.30 AM on January 1," the FIR read.
Shokeen entered the victim's room, touched her inappropriately
The victim said her husband went out with his friends and she slept. Around 1:30 AM, Shokeen knocked on her door saying he wanted to speak to her. When she let him in, he started touching her inappropriately. "He took out his gun, slapped me and threatened to kill my brother when I tried to raise an alarm," the victim said.
Notably, victim filed a domestic violence case against her in-laws
The victim said Shokeen overpowered and raped her. "Initially in order to save the marriage and my brother, I stopped myself from filing a complaint against him," the FIR added. As it turns out, the victim had lodged a domestic violence case against her in-laws, soon after her wedding in December 2018. The case was registered at Saket court's Crime Against Women (CAW) cell.
A probe has been launched, said police
She visited the court on Wednesday to record her statement in connection to the domestic violence case. "The concerned protection officer assured me of me and my family's safety. Following which I narrated my ordeal to the officer and my parents," she said. Shokeen was booked under IPC Section 376 and 506. An investigation is underway, said Seju P. Kuruvilla, DCP (Outer).
