FIR filed against BJP leader for rape, police on lookout for absconding accused

BENGALURU: A BJP leader allegedly raped a 26-year-old woman in Bengaluru. The accused is Somashekar. An FIR has been registered at Ashoknagar police station.

The woman had approached Gym Soma, a.k.a. Somashekar, for financial help for her wedding and had taken Rs 6 lakh from him. The woman, who got engaged last year,  had met Somashekar through a friend. Somashekar had promised to help her and had invited her to his flat, as per the FIR.

The victim alleged that he took her from her PG accommodation to his flat on Langford Road, saying he would give her the money. Instead, he allegedly got her drunk and then raped her.

The woman alleged that Somashekar had threatened to kill her and ruin her reputation if she spoke out about the incident. He had also threatened to circulate her private photos and videos. The woman was scared and did not report the incident to the police immediately.

Three months after the incident, the woman lodged a complaint at the Ashoknagar police station. The police have registered an FIR and are investigating the case. Somashekar, who had contested the Assembly elections from Sakaleshpura constituency and lost, is currently absconding. The police are on the lookout for him.