Former UP MLA Bhagwan Sharma held in Bengaluru on rape charges

Former Uttar Pradesh MLA Bhagwan Sharma has been arrested in Bengaluru on rape and intimidation charges. The FIR says he forced a woman and her son to travel from UP, later confined her near the airport and sexually assaulted her

Bengaluru: Former Uttar Pradesh MLA Bhagwan Sharma has been arrested by Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) police in connection with allegations of rape and death threats. The accused, who had been absconding after the case was registered, was caught following a police operation. He has been handed over to Chikkaballapur police for further investigation.

According to the FIR, Sharma, a former MLA from Dibai in Uttar Pradesh, allegedly forced a 40-year-old woman and her minor son to travel from UP to Bengaluru on August 14. Upon arrival, he reportedly took her to multiple locations in the city against her will.

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On August 16, Sharma allegedly took the woman to Chitradurga and later confined her in a private hotel near KIA on August 17. Inside the hotel room, he is accused of sexually assaulting her and threatening to kill her when she resisted. A case has been registered under Section 69 (rape) and Section 351 (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Bhagwan Sharma was a two-time MLA from Dibai, having won elections on tickets of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Samajwadi Party. Police are also investigating whether there are more victims and if Sharma used his political influence to evade earlier cases.

The survivor and her son have been provided security, and legal proceedings are underway. Authorities have assured a thorough probe into the matter.