BSP MLA accused in Banda rape case arrested

LUCKNOW: BSP MLA Purshottam Naresh Dwivedi, who is accused of raping a minor Dalit girl in Uttar Pradesh's Banda district, has been arrested. The MLA and another co-accused Ravan Garg were absconding.

On Wednesday, two of his aides, Rajendra Shukla and Surendra Neta, were arrested in connection with the case, officials said.

A case of rape was registered against the BSP MLA from Naraini seat and his three aides and orders were issued for their arrest on Wednesday in connection with the alleged criminal assault on a teenaged dalit girl.

Soon after the state CB-CID submitted its preliminary report in the case, the Mayawati-led BSP government ordered registration of an FIR against the MLA and his three associates.

Mayawati had also issued orders for immediate arrest of the legislator and three others.

Cabinet secretary Shashank Shekhar Singh said the theft charge on which the 17-year-old girl had been arrested was, however, found to be true.

"But we are not giving a clean chit to anyone including the policemen. Stern action will be taken against all those found guilty," he said.