Uttar Pradesh Police finally made a breakthrough when they traced the missing LLM student from Shahjahanpur, whose father alleged that she was sexually harassed by BJP leader and former Union minister Swami Chinmayanand.

The young woman, who had been missing since August 24, and her friend, identified as Sanjay, were recovered from a hotel in Jaipur (Rajasthan) on Friday morning, confirmed DIG (Bareilly Range) Rajesh Kumar Pandey. 

“We are bringing the woman to Shahjahanpur and will produce her before a magistrate to record her version under Section 164 of the CrPC. Any further action will depend upon the revelations she makes,” Pandey said .

Meanwhile, after Supreme Court directed the UP Police to produce the woman before a judge in New Delhi, Pandey said, “We will abide by the orders of the apex court and will do as directed by the court.” 

The Supreme Court took up the matter after some lawyers approached the court on the issue.

However, the DIG said that investigations would progress only on the statement made by the woman and if required the BJP leader would also be questioned. 

The LLM student was missing since August 24, a day after she posted a video on social media alleging that the BJP leader was harassing her and threatening to kill her and her family members as she had evidence that could land him in trouble. She sought help from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. 

Former Union Minister of State for Home Swami Chinmayanand claimed that a conspiracy was hatched against him by four men and the woman and he had done no wrong. He told reporters, “It is an attempt to malign the image of the Yogi Adityanath government. I am being framed just like Kuldeep Singh Sengar (rape accused Unnao MLA now in jail).’’ 

Superintendent of Police of Shahjahanpur, S Chanappa said that the former Union minister was booked under IPC sections 364 (kidnapping or abducting in order to murder) and 506 (criminal intimidation) based on the complaint of the LLM student’s father.

“Our team is investigating. The woman’s father has been provided security,’’ he added. 

The UP Women’s Commission had also sought a report from Shahjahanpur district administration on the student’s disappearance.