Row over Yogi's move to withdraw rape case

The Uttar Pradesh government's move to withdraw a rape case against former Union minister Swami Chinmayananda Sarswati has triggered a huge controversy with the Opposition parties decrying the same.

According to sources here, the government has written to the public prosecution officer in Shahajahanpur district to move the district court seeking withdrawal of the case.

A disciple of Chinmayananda, a former minister of state for home in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, had accused the Swami of raping her in his ashram at Shahajahanpur, seven years ago.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had recently visited Chinmayananda's ashram at Shahajahnpur to attend a religious function.

The decision has invited sharp criticism from the Opposition.

"It is shameful that the government wants to spare a rape-accused...it shows that BJP's concern for the women is a farce," said Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Juhi Singh here on Tuesday.