Rape victim turns hostile in Barnala case

The victim retracts from her earlier statement in a Chandigarh court, and says she had never been raped.

A woman who accused Shiromani Akali Dal MLA Gaganjit Singh Barnala of raping her turned hostile and retracted her earlier statement in a court in Chandigarh on Friday.

HT Image

Deposing before Additional Sessions Judge RK Sondhi, she told the court that she was never raped by Barnala and that she fell from a cycle on her way to the MLA's residence in Chandigarh.

The court posted the matter for hearing on January 29. The woman, who worked as a maid at Barnala's residence, had alleged she was raped by the Akali leader in August.

Gaganjit Singh Barnala, who was also present in the court, declined to comment on the events, saying the matter was sub-judice.