Maharashtra: BJP councillor allegedly rapes woman for three years, arrested
On Friday, police arrested Dheeraj Digambar Pathe, BJP councillor of Wani Municipal Council, Yavatmal district, Maharashtra, for allegedly raping a woman for past three years. Surprisingly, he tried to extort money from the victim too. The victim, in her complaint, said Pathe wanted to marry her and when she declined, he harassed her. Notably, Pathe is a rape accused in another case as well.
Pathe knew victim since she was minor, repeatedly violated her
The victim and Pathe lived in the same locality and they knew each other since she was a minor. Inspector of Wani police station, Balasaheb Khade, revealed Pathe promised to marry her, while she was still studying in Class XII, and established physical contact with her. After that, he repeatedly assaulted her, the victim alleged in her complaint.
Victim refused to marry Pathe, he made fake Facebook account
When the victim refused to marry Pathe, he began harassing her. He then demanded Rs. 5 lakh as 'compensation' for turning the offer down. The victim, now a bachelors student, refused to give in. Pathe, then, made a fake Facebook account in her name to send objectionable messages. This went on for three years, and finally, the victim confided in her parents.
BJP men and rape: How serious is government about women-safety?
Before Pathe, BJP MLA Kuldeep Sengar was accused of raping a woman, and after much outrage, the CBI took over the Unnao rape case. Similarly, in Surat, BJP leader Jayanti Bhanushali was booked for raping a 21-year-old woman. A complaint was registered after high-end drama ensued outside the police commissioner's office. It seems many BJP leaders themselves don't care about the motto 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao'.
