Satna (Madhya Pradesh), Dec 29 : A man identified as Ashok Singh the husband of a BJP councillor in Rampur Baghelan Nagar Parishad, has been arrested in Madhya Pradesh’s Satna district on charges of rape, harassment and criminal intimidation, police said on Sunday.
The arrest followed a complaint by the survivor and the circulation of a viral video in which the accused is allegedly seen abusing the woman and openly boasting about his influence, daring her to approach authorities.
According to police, the woman submitted a written complaint to the Satna Superintendent of Police on December 22, alleging that Singh had been harassing her for the past six months. She accused him of raping her at knifepoint, recording a video of the assault and threatening to make it public if she resisted.
The survivor further alleged that Singh repeatedly forced her into sexual relations, issued death threats and threatened harm to her family to silence her. A video dated December 26 later surfaced on social media, purportedly showing the accused misbehaving with the woman at a shop and challenging her to complain to the police or post the incident online. In the clip, the man is allegedly heard claiming that “nothing will happen” to him regardless of any complaint.
Following the video’s widespread circulation, Rampur police registered a case against Singh under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 74, 75(2), 79, 296(1) and 351(3). Police said the accused was taken into custody late at night and that further investigation is underway.
Police officials said they are verifying the authenticity of the viral video and examining all available evidence. The survivor has also alleged that Singh has a criminal background and had earlier been externed from the district, which she said emboldened him to act with impunity.
Local administration officials said the law would take its course. “The law is equal for everyone, and the matter will be investigated fairly without considering any alleged influence,” an official said.
Authorities said further action will be taken based on the outcome of the investigation.
