A rape case has been registered against senior BJP leader and Union Railway Minister of State Rajen Gohain.
Nagaon police on August 2 registered a case against Rajen Gohain after a woman accused him of raping her. Gohain, a senior member of BJP, has been representing Nagaon Lok Sabha constituency since 1999.
Police officials said a 26-year-old woman, a resident of Deurigaon in Nagaon district, had written to the police on August 2 seeking registration of rape case against 68-year-old Gohain.
“Based on the complaint of a woman a case has been registered against Gohain at Nagaon Sadar police station. We are investigating into the case,” Nagaon SP Shankar Brata Raimedhi told Northeast Now on Friday evening.
Police said the case (No 2592/18) has been registered under sections 417 (cheating), 376 (rape) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC. In her complaint, the victim said the BJP lawmaker raped her on several occasions.
Nagaon Deputy Superintendent of Police (headquarter) Sabita Das said the investigation has already begun and police will proceed as per law.
“We are probing now. If required, arrest will happen only after the probe is complete,” a news agency quoted Das as saying.
Police said that the victim appeared before the police and her statement has been recorded. The SP said investigation into the case is going on to find out the truth. The union minister may soon be questioned by the police.
Gohain has been a BJP member since 1991, and served four terms as a Member of Parliament. On July 5, 2016, he was inducted to the Union Cabinet as a Minister of State of the Railway Ministry.
Despite repeated attempts, Gohain did not receive his mobile phone. Interestingly, Minister Gohain remained absent on the last two days of the Monsoon Session of the Parliament.
His wife, Rita Gohain said she heard about the police case registered against her husband, but refused to make any comment. “I cannot say anything on the subject because my husband is not at home,” she said.
Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) chief Akhil Gogoi has demanded immediate resignation of Gohain.
“It’s a grave allegation. Gohain should immediately tender his resignation as Railway Minister,” Gogoi told reporters in Guwahati.