Assam: MOs Railways Rajen Gohain faces Rape Charges
Guwahati
Assam Police is investigating an allegation of rape against Minister of State for Railways Rajen Gohain, even though the complainant now wants to withdraw the case. Gohain on Saturday called the allegation a “political conspiracy” to malign his image.
On August 2, Nagaon police registered an FIR 2592/18 under IPC sections 417 (punishment for cheating), 376 ( punishment for rape) and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) against Gohain, a veteran BJP leader and Lok Sabha member from Nagaon.
On the same day, Gohain’s son filed a counter-FIR, alleging an attempt to blackmail his father by the woman and her family, police said. On August 6, the woman put in a written request to the police, saying she had filed the complaint as a result of a “misunderstanding”, and now “wanted to withdraw the complaint”.
On Friday, Nagaon superintendent of police S B Raimedhi told a press conference, “After the FIR we had started taking all necessary actions and recording of victim’s statement and medical examination were done. We are now in the process of collecting evidence and have asked the victim also to submit any evidence in their possession.”
The investigating officer in the case had been told that the MP could be interrogated if the need arose, Raimedhi added. “It is a legal process and we are continuing our investigation as per the provisions of the law,” he said.
The statement by Gohain, made in Delhi, came a day after Assam Police said their investigation into the allegation of rape would continue as per the law.
“It’s a political conspiracy against me. Conspiracies have been plotted against me earlier also… Investigation is under way and the truth will be revealed soon,” Gohain said.
Meanwhile, the Assam Congress has demanded Gohain’s resignation over the controversy. Ripun Borah, the president of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee, said that if Prime Minister Narendra Modi valued “ transparency ” then he should ask Gohain to resign.
