Police in Madhya Pradesh's Satna district have launched an investigation following serious allegations made by a woman against the husband of a local BJP councillor. The woman has accused Ashok Singh of rape, filming the assault, and using the video to blackmail her into silence for a period of six months.
Details of the Allegations and the Viral Video
According to a written complaint submitted this week to Satna Superintendent of Police Hansraj Singh, the victim alleged that the accused, Ashok Singh, entered her home around six months ago. She claims he raped her at knifepoint and recorded the entire assault on his mobile phone. The complaint further states that Singh threatened to kill her and her family if she ever reported the crime.
The situation escalated recently when, as per the complaint, Singh approached her again on December 20. He allegedly sexually harassed her and demanded compliance, threatening to release the recorded video to publicly humiliate her if she refused. The woman also stated that Singh would regularly visit her shop to verbally abuse and threaten her, creating a persistent atmosphere of fear.
Adding a shocking dimension to the case, a video has surfaced online. In this clip, a man purported to be Ashok Singh is heard dismissively responding to the woman's threat of filing a police complaint. "What will happen to me? Nothing will happen. Complain wherever you want," he says in the video. Police authorities have confirmed they are verifying the authenticity of this viral footage.
Police Response and Political Reaction
As of now, no arrest has been made in connection with the case. Superintendent of Police Hansraj Singh stated that the investigation has been transferred to Deputy Superintendent of Police Manoj Trivedi. The police are currently examining all evidence and verifying the veracity of the woman's claims as well as the controversial video.
The woman expressed frustration, claiming she had approached the police five days prior to registering the formal complaint but saw no concrete action being taken. The accused, Ashok Singh, who is married to a BJP councillor in a Nagar Parishad within the district, was unavailable for comment when attempts were made to contact him.
Reacting to the incident, BJP spokesperson Shivam Shukla sought to distance the party from the accused. "The accused doesn't belong to the party. Whoever the accused is, if they are involved in any crime, then the law will take its own course," Shukla stated.
Ongoing Investigation and Next Steps
The case has drawn significant attention due to the political connections of the accused and the brazen nature of the allegations, compounded by the viral video. The Satna police have assured that a thorough probe is underway. The key focus areas include authenticating the video evidence, collecting forensic and technical data, and recording statements from all relevant parties.
The outcome of this verification process will likely determine the future course of action, including the possibility of an arrest. The case highlights ongoing concerns about crimes against women and the influence of power dynamics in the pursuit of justice.
