Young woman gang-raped in Surat; BJP functionary among arrested
Surat: A case of gang rape has been registered in Gujarat's Surat city involving two accused, one of whom is a local Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) functionary. The incident has triggered public outrage and led to the suspension of the party member by the BJP’s Surat unit.
According to police reports, a 23-year-old woman was allegedly drugged and sexually assaulted by Aditya Upadhyay and his associate Gaurav Singh. Upadhyay, who held the post of Ward General Secretary in the BJP Surat City unit, has since been arrested and suspended from all party responsibilities.
The complainant, in her statement to the police, alleged that she was offered a cold drink laced with sedatives by Upadhyay after she entered his car on the pretext of a friendly conversation. She lost consciousness shortly afterward. She was then taken to a hotel in the city, where both accused allegedly took turns sexually assaulting her.
The woman managed to file a complaint at Jahangir Pura police station after regaining consciousness. Based on her detailed testimony and preliminary investigation, the police registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, including gang rape.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone-1), Rakesh Barot, confirmed the arrests and stated: “We have registered a gang rape case based on the complainant’s statement and additional evidence. Both accused have been arrested and remanded to police custody for further investigation.”
CCTV footage from the hotel and digital evidence, including phone and GPS records, are being examined by investigators. Medical examinations of the survivor and the accused have also been conducted.
In response to the incident, BJP Surat City President Paresh Patel issued a statement confirming Upadhyay’s suspension.
“The party has taken cognizance of the matter and suspended Aditya Upadhyay with immediate effect pending the outcome of the legal process,” the statement read.
Women’s rights organisations have condemned the incident and demanded a speedy trial under a fast-track court. Several activists have also raised concerns about potential political interference in the investigation.
The case is likely to be transferred to the Sessions Court shortly. Police have assured that the investigation will be conducted impartially and that all necessary legal procedures are being followed.
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TN polls: TVK pushes DMK behind with leads in 83 seats, AIADMK ahead in 54
Chennai (PTI): New entrant TVK, led by actor-politician Vijay, was leading in as many as 83 constituencies on Monday when counting of votes polled in the April 23 Assembly polls was on across Tamil Nadu. The AIADMK was leading in 58 seats while the ruling DMK was ahead in 34, EC data showed.
About two hours after the postal ballots were counted and EVMs opened for multi-round counting, Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam surged ahead of its Dravidian rivals-- the DMK and the AIADMK, with the ruling party struggling to catch up.
If the trends maintain, Vijay could as well ensure the biggest electoral upset, something in lines with the "1967,1977" wins he had referred to in his campaign speeches.
While the Dravidian stalwart CN Annadurai brought the first non-Congress government in Tamil Nadu post-independence in 1967, the charismatic MG Ramachandran (MGR) installed the maiden AIADMK government 10 years later, unseating then DMK government under M Karunanidhi. TVK was leading in most Chennai segments, all considered DMK strongholds and currently represented by the party in the 234-member House.
A poor show by DMK could belie most exit polls giving an edge to it, riding on the number of populist measures Chief Minister M K Stalin had implemented in his five year "Dravidian model," inclusive governance.
According to EC and TV reports, 15 cabinet ministers, including Stalin were trailing. His son and deputy CM Udhayanidhi was also behind in his incumbent Chepauk-Tirvuvallikeni seat, according to a number of reports.
Stalin was trailing behind TVK's VS Babu by 1234 votes in Kolathur segment. Vijay was ahead in Tiruchirappalli East by over 3,000 votes at the end of two rounds of counting, according to EC data.
BJP is trailing in 26 constituencies and it is ahead in Thali segment alone. TVK is ahead in constituencies including Ponneri, Tiruvallur, Poonamalle, and Avadi.
AIADMK is leading in segments including Katpadi, and Guidyattam and party chief Edappadi K Palaniswami is ahead in Edappadi segment by 7003 votes.
DMK was leading in segments including Vellore, Anaikattu and Rishivandiyam.
