UP seeks withdrawal of rape case against minister

The Uttar Pradesh government has recommended the withdrawal of a rape case against one of its ministers.

The home department has written to the Bijnor district magistrate that after a careful study of the case, it found the charges levelled against Stamp and Registration Minister Manoj Kumar Paras to be untrue.

It also directed the district administration to ensure that Paras gets a legal defence in the court.

In 2006, a Dalit woman alleged that the Samajwadi Party minister, a legislator from Nagina, and his accomplices raped her at his home when she went there in connection with a ration shop promised to her.

Police lodged the case against the minister and others Jan 15, 2007 after the woman approached the chief judicial magistrate court.

A Bijnor court ordered the attachment of the minister's property but he took a stay from the high court.

The woman's lawyer said Thursday that he would oppose the state's application for withdrawal of the case when it comes up for hearing Jan 17.

The minister is currently on a five-nation "study tour" with seven other state minister and 17 legislators.