Ex-Rajasthan minister Babulal Nagar sent to judicial custody in Jaipur

A court in Jaipur sent former Rajasthan minister Babulal Nagar into judicial custody on Tuesday, after he was accused of raping and assaulting a 35-year-old woman.

Rajasthan Police and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had booked Nagar for allegedly raping and beating up the woman in September and arrested him on October 25.

While recording a statement with the CBI, the former minister had denied rape charges, but had accepted that he was in a consensual relationship with the woman.

A lawyer in the case, Ajay Kumar Jain, said the CBI had concluded their interrogation of Nagar and he was sent to judicial custody.

"The CBI had requested for custody remand on which the court has sent him to judicial custody till November 14. He will reappear in the court on November 14, until then the investigation would progress," said Jain.

The 53-year-old had earlier resigned to ensure a fair and impartial enquiry into the matter.

Speaking to mediapersons after appearing in the court, Nagar said this case was a political conspiracy.

"My political rivals have conspired against me. I have written some facts to the CBI a fortnight back and during the investigation also I have clarified things and I am hopeful and have confidence in the CBI that they would thoroughly investigate the case and I know I am innocent and have not committed this crime," he said.

Nagar was booked for allegedly sexually assaulting the woman in September. It is alleged that he called her to his official bungalow in Jaipur on the pretext of giving her a job.

He was forced to resign as the Minister of Dairy, Khadi and Rural Industries after allegations came to light.