BJP Affiliates Arrested In IIT-BHU Rape Case

Three individuals, identified as Kunal Pandey, Anand alias Abhishek Chauhan, and Saksham Patel, have been apprehended by the Uttar Pradesh police in connection with the reported rape of a female student from IIT Banaras Hindu University (BHU) campus. Among these three accused, two have affiliation with local BJP in the area in various capacities, according to reports.

Kunal Pandey and Saksham Patel were members of BJP IT cell Varanasi, tweeted journalist and fact-checker Mohammed Zubair. He has also shared the images of these activists meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister Smriti Irani and BJP’s IT Cell chief Amit Malviya.

The incident is said to have transpired on the night of November 1, when, as per the complainant, she was forcibly taken to a secluded area on a motorcycle by the three accused. The victim alleges that the perpetrators separated her from her friend, and, after reaching a corner, proceeded to assault and gag her. The arrests were made by the in-charge of Lanka police station, Shivakant Mishra.

In November first week, protests had erupted at the IIT BHU campus over the incident and hundreds of students gathered on campus to demand the arrest of the perpetrators.

The incident took place near a student hostel, and the suspects were seen recording a video of the woman.