Raj minister rape case: Gehlot says no one is above law

Reacting to the charges of rape and assault levelled against his minister Babu Lal Nagar by a woman, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot today said that no one is above law and that law will take its own course.

The chief minister, however, refused to reply when asked if he will seek Nagar's resignation on the issue.

"I told earlier also during the Asaram case that no one is above the law and that law will work as per its own course irrespective of whosoever is there," Gehlot told reporters after the flag-off ceremony of Jaipur metro here.

"Kanoon ko apna kaam karne do, hum hastakshep nahi kartein kisi bhi maamle mein" (Let the law do its work, we do not interfere in any case)," Gehlot assured.

Media frequently alleges that the government interferes in CBI investigation and that it influenced the recent Asaram case, but the state government never gets involved in any case, Gehlot said.

Rajasthan minister of state for dairy, Babu Lal Nagar was yesterday booked for allegedly beating up and raping a woman at his Civil Lines residence here, a charge he claimed is a "political conspiracy" to malign his image ahead of the assembly elections.

Nagar has been booked under Sections 376 (rape) and 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) of the IPC. The case has been referred to the CID-Crime Branch as it involves a member of the Assembly.