Dehradun, Nov 8 (PTI) Uttarakhand Congress on Sunday alleged that the BJP was behind an Assamese woman’s renewed demand for a fresh CBI probe into a 23-year-old sexual assault case against party leader Harak Singh Rawat to counter what it claimed was the Congress’ momentum ahead of the state elections in 2027.
Speaking to reporters here, state Congress chief Ganesh Godiyal claimed that BJP was feeling“uncomfortable” with the Congress raking up issues including the state government handling of the Ankita Bhandari murder case, corruption, controversy surrounding Cabinet minister Rekha Arya and a disproportionate case against another minister, Ganesh Joshi.
Goyal claimed that the BJP, rattled by these issues, was diverting attention by trying to “silence” the Congress for questioning the government.
His remarks came a day after Jenny, a resident of Assam, reiterated rape allegations against Rawat, demanding a fresh CBI investigation into the matter.
In response, the former cabinet minister warned of a defamation suit against those trying to “tarnish his image.”
“The Congress party was consistently exposing the BJP on matters of corruption and gaining significant momentum across the state. In this context, by reviving a 23-year-old case, an attempt is being made to suppress the Congress’s growing influence and divert attention from the real issues concerning the state’s interests,” Godiyal said.
Responding to the woman’s renewed demand, the state Congress president said the law will take its course.
“We have full faith in the judicial process. In the past, Harak Singh Rawat was also honourably acquitted after a judicial process on this very matter. If there is anything new, let action be taken in accordance with the law; we will not stand in the way of the legal process,” he said.
He added that Congress will continue to raise its voice regarding the state’s interests, corruption, and issues concerning government land.
On Saturday, Jenny, an unmarried mother, submitted a complaint to Dehradun Senior Superintendent of Police Pramendra Singh Dobal, who entrusted the investigation to Doiwala Circle Officer Vandana Verma. PTI SPY KSI
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