Rape-accused BSP MLA Pushottam Narain Dwivedi suspended

Rape-accused Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MLA Pushottam Narain Dwivedi was on Sunday suspended by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati.

Mayawati ordered that Dwivedi be placed under immediate suspension, pending inquiry by the Crime Investigation Department (CID).

She added that the legislator will be expelled from the party and imprisoned, if found guilty.

Dwivedi has been charged with the rape of a 17-year-old Dalit girl, an allegation vehemently denied by the MLA.

According to him, he had merely given shelter to the girl since her father, a party worker, was not able to support her.

The girl’s father has put forth the claim that she had been abducted by a boy and had approached Dwivedi to help him rescue her after being turned down by the police, media reports said.

He said that after having her rescued, Dwivedi told him that the girl should stay at his residence for safety.

But on Dec 13, the girl purportedly called her father saying that she had escaped after being raped by the MLA and his men. Two days later the police arrested the girl on the charges of theft, filed by the MLA’s son.

A police official was quoted as saying that the girl has confessed to stealing Rs 7,000 in cash, apart from a phone and some clothes from the MLA’s house.

Seizing the opportunity, the Opposition Congress has called for a high-level judicial probe.