Date:30/06/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/30/stories/2008063059741100.htm

National

BSP MLA held on charges of fraud, rape

Special Correspondent

LUCKNOW: Bahujan Samaj Party MLA from Dibai, Uttar Pradesh, Sri Bhagwan Sharma alias Guddu Pandit, was arrested on Sunday on charges of fraud, illegal confinement and rape of an Agra University research scholar Sheetal Birla.

Ms. Birla lodged an FIR at the Kasganj police station in Kanshi Ram Nagar district. She alleged that the MLA threatened to kill her after she distanced herself from him. She claimed they were married and alleged that she had been reduced to a mistress.

Contrary to reports that the MLA was arrested from the New Delhi residence of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, the ADG, Law and Order, Brij Lal told journalists here that he was in fact arrested by the Gautam Buddha Nagar police at the Sector 24 police station in Noida.

He said the MLA, who was being brought to Kanshi Ram Nagar, was arrested under various sections of the IPC.

The MLA has been given Z security by the Mayawati government.