A man was arrested here for reportedly kidnapping a 16-year-old girl and raping her, officials said. The victim was rescued from Haridwar on Tuesday. Officials said the accused had been identified as Dev Singh Bagdwal.
Sub-Inspector Asha Bisht said the victim’s mother filed a missing person complaint on October 8. During the probe, police traced the victim’s mobile phone and received a tip-off from an informant.
The victim has been sent for a medical examination.
The accused was nabbed on charges of kidnapping and rape, and under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The accused was produced before a court, which remanded him to judicial custody.
Sources said Bagdwal was a former district general secretary of the BJP’s youth wing (BJYM) in Nainital.
After the arrest, the opposition Congress criticised the ruling BJP, saying its "Beti Bachao" slogan had become "Beti Bachao from BJP leaders."
State Congress president Karan Mahara referred to the Ankita Bhandari murder case and other incidents in the state. He said cases involving BJP leaders have brought shame to society. He added that the BJP, which speaks of a “cultured India,” harbours such criminals within its ranks.
The BJP flayed the incident, calling it shameful. It also urged opposition parties not to politicise the matter.
State BJP spokesperson and Rajpur MLA Khajan Das said strict action will be taken, no matter the accused’s political connections.
He added that the BJP government is committed to safeguarding women and children and is in touch with the victim’s family to provide all possible support.
Das also asked opposition leaders to avoid unnecessary allegations and said the guilty will face the harshest punishment under the law.
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