BJP pressurised rape victim to change stance: Harish Rawat

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat today alleged that pressure from BJP forced the woman who had accused party leader Harak Singh Rawat of raping her at his residence in New Delhi to change her statement.
Objecting to his name being dragged into the controversy, the chief minister said BJP was trying to impose the burden of its leader on him.
"The government is of BJP (in Delhi). The police belongs to it. Even the victim has had an old association with BJP," he said, suggesting the party had forced the victim to change her statement.
He said all tests should be conducted to find the truth.

As to the allegations by the woman that four men from the Chief Minister's Office had warned her of dire consequences if she did not file an FIR against Harak Singh, the CM said the BJP should either prove the charge or withdraw it.
The woman had alleged in her complaint to the Safdarjung police station that Harak Singh raped her at his residence in the posh Green Park area on July 29.
Rawat was among the nine Congress MLAs who had revolted against Congress' government in the state assembly on March 18. He is now with BJP along with the rest of the rebel MLAs.