Banda rape victim released

BANDA (UP): A teenaged backward caste girl, who was allegedly raped by BSP MLA Purshottam Naresh Dwiwedi and was arrested in connection with a theft case, was released from the prison this evening after more than a month.

The 17-year-old girl walked free from the Banda District Jail after an order for her release, issued by the District Judge, was handed over to prison authorities, officials said.

The girl was arrested on December 12 on charges of committing theft at the MLA's residence.

She later alleged she was raped twice by the MLA on December 10 and 11 and stuck to her allegations in a statement made before a local court on January 10 after which it ordered police to take immediate legal action.