The "Love Jihad" controversy in Uttar Pradesh took a new twist with a 22-year-old local girl going back on her earlier statement that she was gangraped and forcibly converted to Islam.
The alleged victim went to the Mahila Police station in Meerut and said that she had "gone on her own free will" with the boy, a Muslim, controverting what she had said in her Sec 164 statement to a magistrate.
Watch:Woman takes U-turn in Meerut case
However, the father of the girl has disputed her claim and said she has been threatened to give a retraction statement.
The girl has now told the police that she had run away from her house as there was "threat to her life" and alleged that she was also "beaten up".
Police said that after recording her statement in front of an executive magistrate, she has been sent to Nari Niketan (women's home) for her safety and protection.
"Right now she has come to the mahila police station at 8 in the morning and she has told that she has gone on her own free will with a boy. But the case has already been charge sheeted and pending before the court.
"She told the woman police officer that she has life threat from their own parents. On this ground, we have brought the woman to the executive magistrate and he has recorded the statement of the woman. She has been sent to the Nari Niketan for the safety and protection," said Omkar Singh SSP Meerut.
{{/usCountry}}"She told the woman police officer that she has life threat from their own parents. On this ground, we have brought the woman to the executive magistrate and he has recorded the statement of the woman. She has been sent to the Nari Niketan for the safety and protection," said Omkar Singh SSP Meerut.
{{/usCountry}}The matter of alleged gangrape and conversion in August was latched up by the BJP whose leaders including Yogi Adityanath, state in charge of bye elections, exploiting the issue, especially in western parts of the state.
The alleged perpetrator Kaleem and eight others were arrested after the girl had alleged on August 3 that she had been abducted, gang-raped and forcibly converted to Islam.
Now the BJP has accused the Samajwadi Party government in the state of "directing" the police to protect the criminals and demanded a CBI probe.
"It is now exposed that Meerut police on the directions of the UP government has come out in protecting criminals," Laxmikant Bajpaye, state BJP president said.
"BJP has not made any textbook case. It is now exposed that Meerut police under the direction of UP government has come out in protecting criminals," He said that the lady has given a statement of section 164 in which she has said that she is giving the statement without being under any pressure.
"And retracting from the statement given before the magistrate, for that whatever crime or offence it comes under, action should be taken according to that. This case has been spoiled by the police on the orders of UP government. The case should be investigated by CBI or some outside agency," he said.