NCP leader booked on charges of rape must be punished: BJP

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday hit out at Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Laxmanrao Dhoble over allegations of rape levelled against him by a woman, and said that he must be punished.

"The NCP's clear picture is out in the open and this 'dadagiri' will not work. Dhoble must be brought to task, must be punished. This not just a case of rape but also blackmail where he has blackmailed the clerk to suggest that he will go with her photographs viral," said BJP spokesperson Shaina NC.

"We want justice in Maharashtra and we want these arrogant NCP leaders to be brought to task," she added.

Meanwhile, NCP leader Nawab Malik commenting on the issue said the law must take its course in this case.

"The police will investigate the case registered against Laxman Dhoble, if wrong has been done then action must be taken. The law must take its course and we will not interfere with the investigation in any manner," he said.

According to reports, a 42-year-old woman, who worked as a clerk at Dhoble's Nalanda Academy, has accused him of rape and criminal intimidation. The police have registered a case against Dhoble based on the woman's complaint.