NEW DELHI — An opposition lawmaker, Rakesh Rathore, a member of the opposition Congress party in India, was arrested on Thursday on charges of rape and assault, according to ANI, a local news agency.
Rathore, who represents the Sitapur constituency in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, was taken into custody days after a woman accused him of sexually assaulting her over a period of four years, The Times of India reported. Rathore has denied the charges, but a local court declined to grant him bail, according to Indian media.
“Today, I am surrendering before the police in respect of the course of law and the court,” Rathore said before his arrest. “I am in their custody. I am confident that I will get justice, both in the court of God and the law.”
The police in Uttar Pradesh registered a case against Rathore on Jan. 17 after receiving a complaint from the woman, The Times of India reported. A spokesperson for the police could not immediately be reached for comment.
