Union minister Rajen Gohain cleared in rape case

The Gauhati high court on Monday quashed criminal proceedings against Union minister of state for railways Rajen Gohain in a rape case, in a relief to the BJP parliamentarian before the Lok Sabha polls. After hearing the minister’s petition, Justice Suman Shyam set aside the order passed by the Nagaon Chief Judicial Magistrate on November 16, taking cognisance of the criminal proceedings.

An FIR was lodged against the 68-year-old BJP MP from Nagaon in August 2018 for alleged rape. Criminal proceedings was initiated against him. The minister had then moved the high court challenging the criminal proceedings and subsequent passing of the November 16 order of the CJM.

A case under Indian Penal Code sections 417 (cheating), 376 (rape) and 506 (criminal intimidation) was registered against Gohain for allegedly raping and threatening the woman.