Sena backs DIG; says slapping rape charge is now a fashion

The Shiv Sena today stoked a fresh controversy by coming out in support of senior IPS officer Sunil Paraskar accused of rape by a 26-year-old model, claiming that it has become a "fashion" to charge men with rape to seek personal revenge.
"Cases of charging men with molestation and rape in hi-fi societies to create hype is on the rise now. It has almost become a fashion. After he has served for so many years in the police force, one model now charges DIG Sunil Paraskar with rape and in one night he becomes a villain. Such accusations have become good weapons to seek personal revenge," the party said in its mouthpiece 'Saamana'.

However, Sena's ally, BJP did not support it on this issue.
"It takes a woman a lot of guts to register a complaint, especially if she has been molested or raped and to suggest that she does it as a fashion statement is ridiculous. It calls for a change of mindset. It is clearly something that I condemn," BJP spokesperson Shaina NC said.
The Congress termed the Sena editorial as "very shameful" and disrespectful of women.
"It is very shameful...I think there can be no words worse than this that can harm the respect of a woman. Which woman will say that she has been raped and there is also law of the land," she said.

Congress leader Manish Tewari said the allegation has to be investigated. "In such matters, it is important that the due course of law is followed," he said.

"New laws were made after the shameful Nirbhaya incident, but have cases of rape decreased?" the editorial asked.
"When the truth has to come out, it will. But till then the media trial, the accused has to go through, damages his morale," it said.
Hitting out at Shiv Sena over the editorial, the model said such comments should not be made without knowing the facts.
"This matter is in the court, no one should be commenting in sensitive matters like this without knowing all the facts," she said, speaking to PTI.

She also said that Paraskar should produce evidence rather than making public the emails sent by her to him.