CBI begins probing rape case against Rajasthan ex-minister

A CBI team arrived here from New Delhi Thursday to begin probing the case of rape registered against a former state minister by a 35-year-old woman, informed sources said.

The Ashok Gehlot-led Congress state government on Sep 21 recommended a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe against former minister of state for dairy and rural industries Babulal Nagar, who had to resign following the rape allegations.

"The CBI registered a first information report (FIR) against Nagar yesterday (Wednesday). A team arrived in Jaipur today (Thursday) and took the files and documents related to the case from the local police," said a source close to the investigation.

The CBI team reached the police headquarters here in the afternoon and met the officials of the state police crime branch who were probing the case till now.

"The files related to the case have been handed over to the CBI," said the source.

He added that the CBI is likely to summon Nagar for questioning in a couple of days.

Rajasthan Police's CID was probing the case since Sep 17 after the married woman filed an FIR against Nagar in the city, accusing him of raping her.

Nagar represents the Dudu assembly constituency in Ajmer district.

The woman's statement has been recorded before a magistrate in which she alleged that Nagar's relatives were threatening her and offering her money to withdraw the case.

The woman has also given a mobile memory data card to police allegedly containing a video in which a man was shown offering money to her on behalf of Nagar's brother Harji Lal.