Former BJP Youth Leader Arrested for Minor's Kidnapping and Rape in Uttarakhand: Legal and Political Fallout

The accused, Dev Singh Bagdwal, has been taken into custody under provisions of the POCSO Act. (Representational).

Nainital:

On Tuesday, law enforcement officials apprehended an individual for allegedly abducting a 16-year-old girl and subjecting her to sexual assault, according to authorities.

The minor was successfully recovered from Haridwar, officials confirmed, identifying the suspect as Dev Singh Bagdwal.

Sub-Inspector Asha Bisht revealed that the victim's mother reported her daughter missing on October 8. During their investigation, police located the girl by tracking her mobile phone location and received additional information from a confidential source.

The victim has subsequently been referred for medical evaluation.

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The accused faces charges of kidnapping and rape, along with violations under sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Following his court appearance, he was placed in judicial custody, according to police statements.

Sources indicate that Bagadwal previously served as district general secretary of the BJP's youth organization—BJYM—in Nainital.

In response to the arrest, opposition Congress party criticized the ruling BJP, suggesting that their "Beti Bachao" (Save the Daughter) campaign had transformed into "Beti Bachao from BJP leaders."

State Congress president Karan Mahara referenced the Ankita Bhandari murder case and similar incidents in the region, stating that such cases involving BJP members have disgraced society.

He further claimed that the BJP, which advocates for a "cultured India," shelters such offenders within its organization.

The BJP denounced the incident as disgraceful and urged opposition parties to avoid politicizing the matter.

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State BJP spokesperson and Rajpur MLA Khajan Das assured that strict action would be taken regardless of the accused's political connections.

He emphasized that the BJP government remains dedicated to protecting women and children and is maintaining contact with the victim's family to provide necessary support.

Das encouraged opposition leaders to refrain from making unwarranted allegations and affirmed that the perpetrator would receive the severest punishment in accordance with the law.