Delhi Court Frames Rape Charges Against BJP Lawmaker

New Delhi: A Delhi court has put on trial a BJP legislator from Haryana and two others for allegedly raping a woman in a hotel after giving her sedative-laced drink, saying that a prima facie case has been made out against them.

The court framed charges against BJP legislator Umesh Aggarwal and Sandeep Luthra for alleged offences of rape, causing hurt by means of poison and criminal intimidation under provisions of the Indian Penal Code.

Additional Sessions Judge, Nivedita Anil Sharma also framed charges against one Rekha Suri, who was a friend of alleged victim and had taken her to a hotel in Faridabad, for alleged offences of abetment to rape. All the accused have denied the charges.

"It is prima facie clear that both accused Sandeep Luthra and Umesh Aggarwal have intoxicated, raped and threatened the prosecutrix and accused Rekha has abetted the commission of intoxication and rape by accused Umesh Aggarwal and Sandeep Luthra," the court said.

As per the police, on January 5, the woman had complained about the alleged incident that took place on January 3, when she had gone to a hotel in Faridabad at the insistence of her friend Rekha, on January 3. After sometime, Umesh, who had come to meet Rekha, gave her a drink. After consuming it, she became unconscious, she alleged, adding that she was raped thereafter.

Next morning, Umesh called one Sandeep, who also raped the woman, the victim alleged in the complaint, adding that Sandeep later dropped her at Tilak Nagar in West Delhi.

The court has also issued notice to Director of Forensic Science Laboratory with directions to ensure that the exhibits of the case were examined expeditiously and the report submitted on October 1.

With the three accused pleading not guilty and claiming trial, the court fixed October 1 for recording of evidence. They alleged that there was a monetary dispute between the woman and Rekha, due to which false allegations were made by her against all the three.