Will Shiv Sena support or condemn the rape charges against Vasudev Nambiar?
The Shiv Sena had earlier supported senior IPS officer Sunil Paraskar who has been accused of rape. Sena had then mentioned in its party mouthpiece Saamna that filing rape cases have become a trend nowadays. It questioned victims’ intentions for reporting crimes, saying rape allegations were “good weapons to seek personal revenge”. But now what stand will the party take after its leader Vasudev Nambiar has been arrested for allegedly raping a 15 year old girl for the past many months? Will the party support him or will it protest or condemn this incident? Defending Paraskar, Sena had said that Paraskar had served the police department for so many years but suddenly he has been made a villain after the rape incident. Political parties and activists had criticised Sena for defending Paraskar.
Nambiar had taken the girl out several times with him on the pretext of visit to the temple and allegedly raped her repeatedly in Thane. The girl also revealed that Nambiar threatened her of dire consequences if she dared to disclose the matter to anyone.
Shiv Sena MLC, Diwakar Raote washed his hands of this issue and said, “He had not followed the story and was unaware about the incident.”
Anil Parab Shiv Sena MLA demanded strict action against the accused and said, “Our stand is very clear. The matter must be investigated properly and if the accused is found guilty, he should be punished severely.”
Congress MLA Krishna Hegde said, “He was unaware about the entire issue and he had not read the news.”
BJP spokesperson Shaina NC said that action must be taken against the accused if he is proven guilty. She said, “Accusation is one which needs to be proven as well. Rape with a minor is a very serious offence. If proven true, the accused should be given the strictest of punishment.”
Anil Kadam, Police Inspector, Kashimira Police Station said, “The victim is a minor girl. Hence, we cannot disclose any information about this issue. However, the victim’s parents were not informed about this incident prior to her pregnancy.”
According to sources, “Why did the victim’s parents fail to register a complaint when they knew their daughter was raped? Why have they come forward to file a complaint after she had delivered a baby? Did they have any intention to malign the reputation of the Sena leader or use pressure tactics to extract money from him?”
The accused has been charged under sections 376 (rape) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC and section 4 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. He was produced before a local magistrate on September 6 who remanded him in police custody till September 11, Kadam said.
The Mumbai crime branch is likely to file a chargesheet against Paraskar by the end of this month.
