Gathbandhan's Ghosi candidate accused of rape to surrender

VARANASI: In a dramatic overnight development in Ghosi , gathbandhan candidate Atul Rai, who has been charged with rape , has written to a local court expressing a desire to surrender.

The move comes hours before his constituency goes to polls. The Supreme Court has rejected his plea asking UP Police not to arrest him till May 23.

Rai has been on the run since May 1 after an FIR was registered in Varanasi against him following a complaint by a college girl from Ballia alleging sexual assault in 2018.

“Police in Varanasi are looking for me. I fear I will be arrested in the fake case filed against me,” says his plea.

“Keeping the circumstances in mind, the accused seeks judicial custody so that justice is done,” it adds.

The court is likely to hear his plea only after May 19. Meanwhile, Varanasi police have said they have filed an appeal in court to declare him an absconder.

“We have filed an appeal before court under section CrPC 82 to declare him an absconder. As per legal procedure, he will have a month’s time now to respond. After that, we will move CrPC 83 in which his assets and properties will be attached,” Varanasi SSP Anand Kulkarni told TOI.

BSP chief Mayawati and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav had last week held a public rally for Rai in his absence. Thereafter, at a rally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had accused the gathbandhan parties of fielding a tainted candidate.

UP Police sources say Rai has escaped to Malaysia .

The Ballia woman has said Rai took her to his home on the pretext of having her meet his wife, but then raped her. Rai has denied the allegations, but has been on the run since the FIR was filed.