Ex-AAP minister held on rape charges

Sandeep Kumar has also been suspended from party

Sacked Delhi minister Sandeep Kumar was on Saturday arrested after a woman filed a rape complaint against him. Earlier, he surrendered before the investigators in Pitampura. A CD, purportedly showing the woman with Kumar, surfaced a few days ago, following which the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA from Sultanpur Majra was suspended from the council of ministers.

Earlier in the day, the AAP suspended the former women and child development minister from the party’s primary membership. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said if the allegations against Kumar are found to be true, "exemplary" punishment should be meted out to him. “If woman’s allegations are correct, this is serious. Strongest exemplary punishment shud be given to Sandeep,” Kejriwal tweeted.

Confirming Kumar’s suspension, deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia said, “He has been suspended from the primary membership of the party, and the matter has been referred to a disciplinary committee.” “We will abide by the decision of the disciplinary committee,” he added.

Following his surrender, police registered a case under Section 376 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code and various sections of the Information Technology Act. No arrest has been made so far.

“A case was registered after we received a complaint under Section 376 of IPC and relevant sections of the IT Act,” said Vikramjeet Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Outer Delhi).

According to the woman’s complaint filed at the Sultanpuri police station, Kumar had raped her 11 months ago when she had gone to his office in Sultanpuri to get a ration card. She said she was asked to wait and offered a soft drink. After drinking it, she lost consciousness and was raped.  She charged that Kumar filmed the act. The woman has been sent for medical examination.