Former BJP Mahila Morcha Leader and Partner Arrested for Alleged Gang rape of Minor Daughter
In a deeply disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the political and civil society in Uttarakhand, a former district president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Mahila Morcha and her male partner have been arrested for allegedly orchestrating the gangrape of her minor daughter, according to local police officials.
The case, which came to light earlier this week, has prompted a swift political fallout and intense public outrage.
Gruesome Allegations Surface
According to a formal complaint filed by the father of the child on Wednesday, the traumatic incidents began in January, when the woman, under the pretext of taking her daughter on an outing, allegedly took the minor along with her partner and a third individual, who remains at large.
The initial episode reportedly took place at BHEL Stadium, where the two men are said to have consumed alcohol before allegedly gangraping the girl, all allegedly in the presence and with the consent of the mother.
The complaint further reveals that the child was subsequently taken to multiple locations, including hotels in Agra, Vrindavan, and Haridwar, where she was sexually assaulted on several occasions.
The perpetrators reportedly warned the girl with death threats, telling her that she would be killed if she ever disclosed the abuse to anyone.
Role of the Mother
Shockingly, the mother, a former BJP women’s wing leader, was allegedly present throughout the complaint, asserting that she did nothing to stop the attacks and was complicit in the crime.
According to police, she was also running a hotel on lease in Haridwar, which may have been one of the locations used during the alleged assaults.
Following the filing of the complaint, the police registered a First Information Report (FIR) at the Kotwali Ranipur police station under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) about assault, criminal intimidation, and other serious charges, including provisions from the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Arrest and Investigation
The two primary accused — the former BJP leader and her partner — were arrested from a hotel named Hotel Yug Residency, located near Shiv Murti Chowk.
The arrest was made shortly after the minor’s medical examination, which, according to Haridwar Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Parmendra Dobhal, confirmed the allegations brought forward by the victim and her father.
The third individual, believed to be an accomplice in the assaults, is currently on the run, and police have launched a manhunt to track and arrest him. In the meantime, the victim’s statement has been recorded before a magistrate, and further investigation is underway.
Family Background and Discovery of Abuse
The child’s father, who is now the complainant in the case, had been estranged from his wife for more than two years following a domestic dispute that led to their separation.
According to him, the child had recently come to stay with him for a short visit, during which he began to notice concerning changes in her behavior — signs that eventually prompted him to talk to her.
It was during this time that the girl reportedly opened up about the horrific experiences she had endured, leading her father to immediately approach the police.
Political Fallout
The case has ignited a political controversy, particularly in Haridwar, where the accused woman had formerly held a leadership role within the BJP’s Mahila Morcha.
A spokesperson for the BJP Haridwar unit confirmed that she had already been relieved of her duties in August 2024, well before the arrest. However, following the shocking revelations and her arrest, the district president of the BJP announced that she had been expelled from the party with immediate effect.
Reacting to the developments, Congress spokesperson Surya Kant Dhasmana launched a scathing attack on the ruling BJP, stating that the case had “exposed the hypocrisy behind BJP’s celebrated slogans” such as “Chaal, Charitra, Chehra” (Conduct, Character, and Identity) and “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” (Save the Daughter, Educate the Daughter).
Dhasmana accused the BJP of failing to uphold the values it publicly promotes, especially concerning women and children.
As investigations continue, the case has sparked intense debate on the safety of children, the responsibility of political organizations in vetting their representatives, and the societal stigma that often surrounds child abuse.
Legal experts, child rights activists, and opposition leaders are now calling for the strictest possible punishment for all those found guilty, emphasizing the need for zero tolerance in cases involving crimes against children.
Authorities have reassured the public that they are treating the case with utmost seriousness. The police have stepped up efforts to locate the third suspect, and further forensic and digital evidence is being gathered to ensure a strong and comprehensive charge sheet is filed.
