Congress MP Rakesh Rathore
It therefore concluded that the material did not create a strong suspicion that Rathore had committed the alleged offence.
LUCKNOW: The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court has discharged Congress MP Rakesh Rathore in a rape case registered in UP’s Sitapur, saying the material placed before it suggested that he and the complainant had been in a long-standing consensual relationship, according to news PTI. The complainant said she first came in contact with Rathore at public meetings, according to the court. The court also considered the statement of the complainant’s husband, who said Rathore frequently called her to his residence and that she would at times stay there until late at night. The court said this account was inconsistent with the allegation that Rathore had established the relationship by promising to marry the complainant. The high court said the prosecution’s version contained circumstances that, in its view, could not be accepted by a person of ordinary prudence. “Continuing criminal proceedings on the basis of such contradictory and unfounded allegations would amount to an abuse of the process of law and result in a failure of justice,” it said. Earlier reporting noted: “Consensual Extramarital Relationship”: Congress MP Discharged In Rape Case “Consensual Extramarital Relationship”: Congress MP Discharged In Rape Case “Consensual Extramarital Relationship”: Congress MP Discharged In Rape Case Earlier reporting noted: Justice Subhash Vidyarthi said the allegation that Rakesh Rathore had established a physical relationship with the complainant on the promise of marrying her did not, prima facie, raise a strong suspicion of the commission of the alleged offence. Justice Subhash Vidyarthi said the allegation that Rakesh Rathore had established a physical relationship with the complainant on the promise of marrying her did not, prima facie, raise a strong suspicion of the commission of the alleged offence.
He later offered her political support and an alliance, which she accepted. She was subsequently appointed district women president of the Tailik Mahasangh, following which their closeness increased, the court noted.
Earlier reporting noted: The Allahabad High Court’s Lucknow bench has discharged Congress MP Rakesh Rathore in a rape case registered in Sitapur, observing that the prosecution material indicated a long-standing consensual relationship between him and the complainant. In an order passed on Friday, Justice Subhash Vidyarthi said the allegation that Rathore had entered into a physical relationship with the woman after promising to marry her did not, at the preliminary stage, create a strong suspicion that he had committed the alleged offence.