File photo of AIUDF lawmaker Gopal Nath Das
After being on the run for more than a month, Assam lawmaker Gopi Nath Das, was arrested today for allegedly raping his minor domestic help.
Mr Das, an AIUDF member represents the Boko constituency in Assam.
Police sources say that Mr Das, was on his way to the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in Kamrup district. Acting on a tip-off, Kamrup (Rural) Superintendent of Police Indrani Barua arrested him in Amingaon area at 4 pm.
The police said that Mr Das being was being interrogated at the Palashbari police station.
The family of the minor girl alleged that the girl was raped inside a car. A case was registered with under Sections 343 of the Indian Penal Code the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.
Mr Das had denied the allegations claiming them to be a political conspiracy to malign him ahead of 2016 state elections. He had also filed a theft report against the minor girl. His application for an anticipatory bail was rejected by the Gauhati High Court. Mr Das had been absconding since then.
Student bodies including that of the BJP had been staging strong protests in state capital Guwahati demanding the arrest of Mr Das. BJP's women wing also staged protests in Latasil accusing the Congress of failing to arrest Mr Das, leaving the district police under tremendous pressure.
"We had raided three of his residences but he still was traceless. We had also seized his car where he had allegedly committed the crime," said Ms Baruah
Mr Das will be produced in a local court tomorrow.