CBI begins rape probe against Rajasthan ex-minister

The CBI Wednesday took up for probe a case of rape registered against a former Rajasthan minister by a 35-year-old married woman, officials said.

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

Nagar was also suspended from the party.

"The CBI today (Wednesday) registered a first information report (FIR) against Nagar under section 376 (rape) and 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) of Indian Penal Code," a CBI spokesperson said.

Sources said a CBI team from Delhi will come to Jaipur to join the probe in the next couple of days.

The Rajasthan Police's Criminal Investigation Department (CID) was probing the case since Sep 17 after the 35-year-old woman filed an FIR against Nagar in the city.

Nagar represents the Dudu 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.