The Satara police on Sunday arrested Rushikant Shinde, the brother of Minister of State for Water Resources Shashikant Shinde for allegedly raping a 33-year old housewife. The Minister, who belongs to the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has said he has no ties with his brother and that the accused has no links with the party.
According to the police, the accused entered the woman’s house on Sunday evening on the pretext of discussing a property deal. When she asked him to return later since her husband was not at home, he asked for a cup of tea. He then allegedly raped her in the kitchen and left. The survivor, who was acquainted with the accused, told her husband and lodged a complaint, the police said.
"The victim was subjected to a medical test and a case of rape was registered against the accused after which he was arrested," Superintendent of Police KM Prassana told The Hindu .
The arrest is all the more awkward for the minister since he is the Guardian Minister of the district. “He has already been arrested. There has been no pressure from the party. The law will take its own course,” Mr. Shinde said.
