Police Hunt Former BJP MLA, Dismissed Cop Over Alleged Rape of Woman at Gunpoint

Police have launched an intensive search for former BJP MLA Narendra Pawar and dismissed constable Shailesh Patil, who have been accused of raping a 22-year-old woman after allegedly holding her captive at gunpoint at a farmhouse in Bhiwandi, an official said on Friday.

Multiple police teams have been deployed at key locations to trace Pawar and Patil, while searches are being conducted at their residences and other known premises, the official said.

Police have also summoned and questioned several relatives of the two accused as part of the investigation into the alleged crime, he said.

According to the FIR registered at Padgha police station, the woman, who was facing difficulties in her marriage, had approached Pawar for help. Pawar, who represented Kalyan West as a BJP MLA, had allegedly offered to mediate in the matter, the official said.

On September 13, Pawar allegedly called the woman to his office and later took her to Patil's farmhouse at Bapgaon in Bhiwandi, according to the FIR.

At the farmhouse, the accused allegedly brandished a firearm, forced the woman to consume alcohol and sexually assaulted her, the official said, citing details in the complaint.

The police have stepped up efforts to locate both accused and are examining information gathered during questioning of people connected to them.

Pawar, who headed the BJP's state Bhatke Vimukta Aghadi, issued a statement on Thursday evening denying the allegations. He also announced that he was resigning from all party posts.

The allegations are under investigation, and police teams are continuing searches to trace Pawar and Patil.

The case has been registered under relevant provisions of law based on the woman's complaint, and further investigation is underway.