Former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi’s political advisor Sunil Tiwari, accused of sexually exploiting a tribal girl, was arrested from Delhi-Agra highway on Sunday. A senior IPS officer confirming the development said, “Sunil Tiwari was arrested today. A police team from Jharkhand has rushed to Uttar Pradesh to bring Tiwari on transit remand.”
Last month, a Ranchi Court issued an arrest warrant against Tiwari as he has been charged of sexually harassing an 18-year-old tribal girl. The girl had alleged that Sunil Tiwari had raped her under the influence of alcohol. According to the girl, she used to work at Sunil Tiwari’s house. Tiwari used to give chocolates to the girl. One day, being alone in the house, Tiwari did the wrong act, which the girl protested. After that he was assaulted. To save herself, the girl hid on the terrace, but Sunil Tiwari came there too and raped her.
After the incident, he called the girl and apologised to the girl and asked not to tell this to anyone and offered money, but after that he again molested the girl. She has also recorded her statement before the court under Section 164 after undergoing medical tests.
The girl, according to police, shared the ordeal with her parents a few days ago following which they decided to file an FIR in this regard.
Tiwari was booked under rape, molestation and SC-ST Act on August 16 and since then, Jharkhand Police was continuously raiding for the arrest of Sunil Tiwari.
Sunil Tiwari had filed a bail petition in the lower court to protect himself, which was rejected by the court.
The civil court had on August 25 issued a warrant against Sunil Tiwari, accused of sexual harassment. Earlier, an application was made in the court by the investigating officer, after which a warrant was issued against Sunil Tiwari from the court of Additional Commissioner of Ranchi Civil Court, Vishal Srivastava. After this Sunil Tiwari appealed in the High Court, but before that the police arrested him.
The arrest of Tiwari, who is said to be close to BJP legislative party leader Marandi, is set to become a political issue in the State. Marandi defending Tiwari had said that Tiwari was arrested after he became the intervenor in a sexual harassment case against incumbent Chief Minister Hemant Soren. While at the same time ruling party JMM had asked BJP to come clean on its stand against such incidents. JMM spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya had said that Marandi has now started advocating on the Tiwari’s matters on his own but the investigation has not started yet. .
Even tribal outfits have criticised the BJP for defending a person who is charged with sexually exploiting a tribal girl.