Mumbai:
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLA Dilip Wagh, accused of raping a 22-year-old girl, was remanded to police custody till March 3 after he was produced in a Nashik court earlier today.
His secretary Rajendra Mali, who is also an accused, was arrested by the Nashik police.
The MLA was picked up by the anti-extortion cell of the Mumbai Crime Branch from a bar in the city's Bandra suburb on Saturday night, after he went missing following an FIR against him in Nashik.
Shortly after his arrest, the MLA got admitted into the ICU of the Nashik Civil hospital complaining of high blood sugar.
Speaking after his arrest, Wagh said it was a political conspiracy against him.
"I was called for interrogation so I've come here and surrendered myself. The investigations are on... It is definitely a political conspiracy. I have said that earlier too," said Wagh.
Wagh, the MLA from Pachora, was also suspended by his party on Saturday.
"The party has reacted quickly to the allegations. The police are investigating the case. If it comes through that he was framed then we will take him back into the party," said Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.
This incident has resulted in a lot of embarrassment for the NCP which is part of the ruling coalition in the state.
Wagh and his secretary are accused of raping a 22-year-old woman at a government guesthouse at Nashik after calling her for a job interview on February 21.
Government sources have said that a preliminary medical report has confirmed sexual intercourse. The MLA claims he is being framed, but police sources say the victim's preliminary medical report confirms sexual intercourse.
A more detailed chemical report will confirm whether it is a case of rape.
The victim, who spoke out on Saturday, stands by the charges.
"He told me he controlled many big organisations and he would give me a job and asked me to get my bio data along with me," she said.