Rape case: BSP's Rai on parole to take oath as MP

New Delhi, Jan 30 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to interfere with the Allahabad High Court order, which had granted two-day parole to BSP leader Atul Rai, lodged in jail in a rape case, to take oath as a Member of Parliament in New Delhi.

A bench headed by Justice D.Y. Chandrachud declined to entertain an appeal filed against the January 23 High Court order. Rai, had won the 2019 Lok Sabha polls on a BSP ticket from Ghosi parliamentary constituency in UP.

Last year in May, an FIR was registered against him in a police station in Varanasi by a college student. The victim has alleged that Rai has sexually assaulted her. He was later arrested.

Then, Rai's counsel had contended that the case is politically motivated to prevent him from campaigning in the ongoing general election, and targeted to sabotage his prospect as a candidate from the constituency.

Rai has not yet been able to take oath as his bail plea was earlier denied by the High Court.

The High Court granting him two-day parole had ruled that he would go to Delhi in police custody, and on January 31, the police will take him back into custody after he takes oath as a Member of Parliament during the Budget session.