<p>Sitapur: Congress MP Rakesh Rathor walked out of Sitapur jail on Wednesday morning, a day after a local court granted him bail in a rape case.</p>.<p>As he stepped out of prison, the lawmaker maintained his innocence, saying, "If I had committed this crime, I would ask for a stricter punishment from God than those who wished for severe punishment for me." Rathor, who had been in jail since January 30, also expressed gratitude to those who supported him.</p>.<p>"Thanks to everyone and a million thanks to God. Besides this, my gratitude goes to all those who prayed and wished for my release," he told reporters.</p>.<p>The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court granted Rathor bail on March 11 in the case filed under Section 64 (rape) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).</p>.Congress to empower district committees at Gujarat session.<p>However, on the same day, Sitapur police filed a chargesheet against him, adding Section 69 (sexual intercourse by deceit) of the BNS, which carries a maximum punishment of 10 years in prison. This prevented his immediate release and forced him to apply for bail again in a lower court.</p>.<p>On Tuesday, Chief Judicial Magistrate Gaurav Prakash granted him bail in the Section 69 case. Two bail bonds of Rs 1 lakh each were furnished on the MP's behalf in court, his lawyer Vijay Kumar Singh said.</p>.<p>According to police and prosecution, Rathor allegedly raped a 45-year-old woman on the pretext of marriage and after promising to help her political career.</p>.<p>The MP was taken into custody from his residence on January 30 while he was addressing a press conference to clarify his stance on the allegations.</p>.<p>Rathor dismissed claims about lack of support from the Congress.</p>.<p>"That is not the case. Rahul (Gandhi) ji was in constant touch with my family. I chose not to involve the party in this matter because the opposition wanted to politicise the issue, which I did not want," he said.</p>.<p>He apologised to the people of his constituency for his absence.</p>.<p>"The way I was serving the people, I apologize for not being among them. They entrusted me with their service by electing me to Parliament and I could not fulfil that duty. But from now on, I will be fully dedicated to serving the people, day and night," he said.</p>.<p>The MP's brother, Anil Rathor, expressed relief after his release.</p>.<p>"We have secured the bail at the earliest and are thankful to the system. The MP, his well-wishers, and supporters are very happy," he said.</p>
<p>Sitapur: Congress MP Rakesh Rathor walked out of Sitapur jail on Wednesday morning, a day after a local court granted him bail in a rape case.</p>.<p>As he stepped out of prison, the lawmaker maintained his innocence, saying, "If I had committed this crime, I would ask for a stricter punishment from God than those who wished for severe punishment for me." Rathor, who had been in jail since January 30, also expressed gratitude to those who supported him.</p>.<p>"Thanks to everyone and a million thanks to God. Besides this, my gratitude goes to all those who prayed and wished for my release," he told reporters.</p>.<p>The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court granted Rathor bail on March 11 in the case filed under Section 64 (rape) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).</p>.Congress to empower district committees at Gujarat session.<p>However, on the same day, Sitapur police filed a chargesheet against him, adding Section 69 (sexual intercourse by deceit) of the BNS, which carries a maximum punishment of 10 years in prison. This prevented his immediate release and forced him to apply for bail again in a lower court.</p>.<p>On Tuesday, Chief Judicial Magistrate Gaurav Prakash granted him bail in the Section 69 case. Two bail bonds of Rs 1 lakh each were furnished on the MP's behalf in court, his lawyer Vijay Kumar Singh said.</p>.<p>According to police and prosecution, Rathor allegedly raped a 45-year-old woman on the pretext of marriage and after promising to help her political career.</p>.<p>The MP was taken into custody from his residence on January 30 while he was addressing a press conference to clarify his stance on the allegations.</p>.<p>Rathor dismissed claims about lack of support from the Congress.</p>.<p>"That is not the case. Rahul (Gandhi) ji was in constant touch with my family. I chose not to involve the party in this matter because the opposition wanted to politicise the issue, which I did not want," he said.</p>.<p>He apologised to the people of his constituency for his absence.</p>.<p>"The way I was serving the people, I apologize for not being among them. They entrusted me with their service by electing me to Parliament and I could not fulfil that duty. But from now on, I will be fully dedicated to serving the people, day and night," he said.</p>.<p>The MP's brother, Anil Rathor, expressed relief after his release.</p>.<p>"We have secured the bail at the earliest and are thankful to the system. The MP, his well-wishers, and supporters are very happy," he said.</p>