A Dalit daily-wager, whose wife was allegedly raped by a relative of Dharam Pal Obra, Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) legislator from Loharu, has sought the MLA's arrest on the charges of assault and intimidation.
Obra and his wife Sheela have already been booked for allegedly assaulting and threatening the physically-challenged rape victim and her husband. The two have also been booked under the SC/ST Act for allegedly using casteist remarks against the Dalit couple from Obra village in Bhiwani district.
The rape victim's husband said Rajinder, the MLA's purported nephew, had raped his wife for almost four months. He said Rajinder had also blackmailed his wife with an MMS clip and threatened her not to disclose the rape to anyone or else he would kill her husband. He alleged, "My wife was raped for the first time on October 27, 2011. She told me all about it on February 21 this year."
The husband added, "My wife remains at home. My mother and brother are farm labourers. I was in Rajasthan for work for several months. In my absence, Rajinder used to come to my brother's house next door. In October last year, he entered my house and raped my wife."
He claimed that when they told Obra about the crime, the latter abused the couple and thrashed them. "Ultimately, I filed a complaint with the police on May 27 and also sent my application to the National Commission for Women. When the commission sought details of the case from the police, we were again called by the legislator and he threatened us with dire consequences on July 14. A DSP got some papers signed by us and left," he added.
{{/usCountry}}He claimed that when they told Obra about the crime, the latter abused the couple and thrashed them. "Ultimately, I filed a complaint with the police on May 27 and also sent my application to the National Commission for Women. When the commission sought details of the case from the police, we were again called by the legislator and he threatened us with dire consequences on July 14. A DSP got some papers signed by us and left," he added.
{{/usCountry}}"Since then, we have been getting threats. Last week, we went to Hisar and met the inspector general of police (IGP), who provided us police protection. We want the arrest of the accused," the husband said.
When contacted, AS Chawla, IGP, said, "The Bhiwani superintendent of police (SP) has recommended that the case be handed over to the crime branch for an investigation. We want a fair probe into the case as the victim had changed her statement earlier before a lawyer."
Ashok Kumar, SHO, said since the victim was married, the medical examination could not substantiate the rape charge.
Siwani deputy superintendent of police Ajmer Singh said, "The medical examination has been conducted and samples have been sent to the Madhuban forensic laboratory."
Meanwhile, Obra told HT, "Rajinder is not my nephew. He is my grandson's first cousin. The charges are fabricated. I welcome an open inquiry in the village where people of all castes and communities should be called. If found guilty, I am ready to face any action."