A rape and cheating case involving a woman functionary of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from Bilaspur has escalated into a high-profile legal and political controversy. The police have arrested a businessman based in Ranchi, Jharkhand, after the accused released a video claiming he was being framed following a demand for the return of money allegedly paid for a coal mine deal.
Arrest and Judicial Remand
The accused businessman from Ranchi was arrested by Bilaspur police and brought to the city on Friday. He was produced before a court and subsequently sent to judicial remand. The police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) at the Civil Lines police station on May 14 based on a complaint filed by the woman worker. The case includes charges of rape, extortion, cheating, and criminal intimidation.
Investigation Details
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rajnesh Singh stated that the police are examining mobile phone chats, call records, financial transactions, and documents linked to the case. “There were transactions running into crores through a partnership firm. The woman has alleged physical exploitation and continued threats. Legal action is being taken,” the SSP said.
According to the complaint, the woman met the accused in Delhi nearly two years ago. He introduced himself as a major industrialist and persuaded her to invest in a mining business, promising high profits and partnership. The police reported that she alleged investing over ₹1.5 crore after being assured of double returns. The complainant further stated that on September 15, 2025, while traveling from Raipur to Bilaspur, the man sent his driver away on some pretext and raped her at a secluded spot before leaving her on the road. She later returned to Bilaspur in an autorickshaw, as per the complaint.
Counter Allegations by the Accused
The case took a fresh turn after the accused’s arrest when a video purportedly released by him surfaced on social media. In the video, he claimed the allegations were false and accused the woman of using political influence to trap him. He counter-alleged that the woman had promised to help him secure coal mine allocation through her political contacts and had taken around ₹80 lakh from him. He claimed that after the work did not materialize, he demanded his money and vehicle back, following which he was blocked and later booked in a rape case.
Ongoing Investigation
Police sources indicated that the investigation is also looking into the business relationship between the two, their travel history, hotel stays, family-level contact, and alleged transactions after the date of the reported assault. Officials stated that the matter remains under investigation, and the allegations from both sides will be examined thoroughly.
