India- Chinmayanand rape case: UP student claims evidence removed from ashram


(MENAFN- NewsBytes) UP student, who accused BJP leaderChinmayanandofrape , has claimed that "important evidence has been removed" from his ashram, where the ordeal took place.

This allegedly happened before theSIT , probing the case, reached the scene on Friday.

Meanwhile, according to a report, the team has recovered some forensic evidence, including a towel and soap.

Here are more details.


Context
Backstory: Last month, the woman alleged harassment; later went missing
Backstory: Last month, the woman alleged harassment; later went missing

Last month, the 23-year-old woman, a student at Shahjahanpur's SS Law College, posted an online video, and levelled harassment allegations against a "big leader of saint community".

The next day, she went missing, and was later tracked in Rajasthan.

Her father lodged a complaint against Chinmayanand, who also happens to be director of the college.

Subsequently, Chinmayanand was booked for kidnapping and intimidation.


Details
Brought at gunpoint, she was forced to give Chinmayanand massages

The SIT, accompanied by a team of forensic experts, brought the woman to the former Union Minister's ashram and carried investigations for around five hours.

However, the woman alleged that crucial evidence was missing and the place had a new look.

Earlier, she had revealed that she was forced to give Chinamayanand massages, and was often brought to his bedroom at gunpoint.


Love India news?

Stay updated with the latest happenings.


Yes, notify me


"Two bowls, used during massage, were found by the SIT"

"The paint and other things have been changed and it now has a new look. Important evidence has been removed from there but two oil bowls, used during massage, were found by the SIT," the woman told PTI.


Questioning
On Thursday, Chinmayanand was questioned for seven hours
On Thursday, Chinmayanand was questioned for seven hours

A day before the said searching at his ashram, Chinmayanand was questioned by the SIT for nearly seven hours on Thursday.

The interrogation that started at 6:20 PM, went on till 1 AM on Friday.

He was inquired about the woman's allegations of him filming her while taking bath, and using the video to blackmail her.

The college's principal and secretary were also quizzed.


Evidence
Earlier, a pen drive containing evidence was given to SIT

On Wednesday, a pen drive containing evidence against Chinmayanand was handed over to the SIT by a friend of the law student.

Importantly, the video contained evidence, that the victim collected by installing a camera in her spectacles, in order to expose the 72-year-old leader.

However, Chinmayanand's lawyer Om Singh dismissed the video proof. "It's an attempt to defame my client," he had said.


Accused
Chinmayanand has several ashrams, runs five colleges
Chinmayanand has several ashrams, runs five colleges

Born to a royal family in Avadh, Chinmayanand was elected to the 13th Lok Sabha from Jaunpur, in 1999.

He served as Minister of State (MoS) for Internal Affairs in the third ministry of late PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Only last year, Yogi Adityanath-led government withdrew a 2011rape caseagainst him.

He has ashrams inShahjahanpur , Hardwar and Rishikesh, and runs five colleges.


Share this timeline

MENAFN1509201901650000ID1099005385


Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.