UTURN BY GIRL WHO ACCUSED CONGRESS MLA OF RAPE

A journalism student who accused Congress MLA Hemant Katare of raping her told the Madhya Pradesh high court on Thursday that she lied and had been used as a tool by his political rivals.

The woman, 21, also said in her affidavit before the high court bench in Jabalpur that her mother too falsely accused Katare of abducting her.

The court is hearing two separate petitions filed by Katare demanding quashing the cases of rape and abduction registered against him.

The woman’s U-turn is likely to trigger a political war of words between the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in poll-bound MP.

Ever since the woman’s allegations hit the headlines in January, the Congress has accused the ruling BJP of hatching a conspiracy to malign Katare’s image.

The court did not hear the case because the woman’s advocate was not present. Incidentally, Katare, who represents Ater seat, had accused the woman of blackmailing her even before her allegations surfaced.

Katare complained to the Bhopal police crime branch that the woman was threatening to level false rape allegations against him and was demanding ₹25 lakh for “settlement” of the case.

He had alleged that she had demanded ₹5 lakh as the first instalment. The same evening, the police arrested the journalism student. She was sent to judicial custody.

From jail, she complained to Bhopal’s deputy inspector general of police that Katare had raped her.

Police registered a case against Katare. Police reportedly could not find him till he surfaced after the high court issued a stay on his arrest. Despite repeated attempts, Katare could not be reached for comment.