Chhattisgarh Minister’s Nephew Charged for Rape

Chhattisgarh Home Minster’s nephew charged for rape after complainant alleges he dumped her after promising marriage

Complainant with her child

(Photo: ANI screenshot) 

Video Editor: Vishal Kumar

A 21-year-old woman has alleged that she was sexually exploited by Chhattisgarh Home Minister Ramsewak Paikra’s nephew after making promises of marriage in Surajpur district in 2014, police said on Sunday.

The woman, who claimed Shamodh Paikra is the father of her two-and-a-half-years-old child, said in her complaint that he refused to marry her after she became pregnant, a police official said.

His name is Shamodh Paikra. We were classmates in 2014. He said he wanted to marry me. We gradually got into a physical relationship and I got pregnant. When I was five-months pregnant, he took me to the doctor under the pretext of DNA tests and tried to get me to abort the child. But when he couldn’t do it, he dropped me home. He then refused to marry me.

Victim

“Based on her complaint, police have registered an FIR against Shamodh Paikra (24) and registered a case under Section 376 (punishment for rape) of the IPC at Chendra police station on July 6,” said Surajpur Superintendent of Police Girijashankar Jaiswal. However, the accused is yet to be arrested and a probe is underway.

‘The woman claimed she was a minor at the time of the incident’, said Jaiswal, quoting from the complaint. He said the woman’s claim of being a minor is also under investigation. “Relevant sections will be added (against the accused) if needed,” the SP added. Shamodh is the son of Home Minister Ramsewak Paikra’s elder brother.

The official said Shamodh allegedly went back on his promise to marry the complainant after she became pregnant. “However, the victim decided to deliver the baby who according to her is now two and a half years old,” he said.

Chhatisgarh home minister Paikra did not respond to calls and message for his comments on the issue.

(With inputs from PTI)