NEW DELHI: A BJP leader in Uttarakhand, Bhagwat Singh Bora, has been arrested for allegedly molesting a 14-year-old girl in Almora district.
The accused served as the block unit chief for the party’s Salt region. The incident took place on August 24 in the Salt area, and the authorities were notified on August 30.
A case has been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and the girl’s statement has been recorded, along with a medical examination.
After the arrest, the BJP responded by expelling Bora from the party on the orders of state president Mahendra Bhatt.
Bhatt described the incident as “very unfortunate.” In a statement, Bhatt said the Pushkar Dhami government in the state is implementing a policy of ‘zero tolerance’ towards crime.
“In this case also, whether the accused is small or big, influential or associated with any political party, our government is taking the strictest action… As far as the organisation’s side is concerned, the leader involved in the incident has been dismissed from all posts with immediate effect and shown the way out of the party,” he said.
The incident led to criticism from the opposition, with state Congress president Karan Mahara accusing the BJP government of enabling atrocities against women.
The accused served as the block unit chief for the party’s Salt region. The incident took place on August 24 in the Salt area, and the authorities were notified on August 30.
A case has been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and the girl’s statement has been recorded, along with a medical examination.
After the arrest, the BJP responded by expelling Bora from the party on the orders of state president Mahendra Bhatt.
Bhatt described the incident as “very unfortunate.” In a statement, Bhatt said the Pushkar Dhami government in the state is implementing a policy of ‘zero tolerance’ towards crime.
“In this case also, whether the accused is small or big, influential or associated with any political party, our government is taking the strictest action… As far as the organisation’s side is concerned, the leader involved in the incident has been dismissed from all posts with immediate effect and shown the way out of the party,” he said.
The incident led to criticism from the opposition, with state Congress president Karan Mahara accusing the BJP government of enabling atrocities against women.