NCP suspends MLA accused of rape

Mumbai, Feb 26 (PTI) NCP today suspended its MLA DilipWagh, who has been booked for allegedly raping a girl, butsenior party leader Ajit Pawar said the suspension would berevoked if it was proved that the legislator was innocent.

"The party has taken a serious view of the rape chargesand suspended Wagh, MLA from Pachora constituency, who hasalleged a conspiracy against him. If he is proved not guilty,action taken would be withdrawn," Deputy Chief Minister AjitPawar said here.

Wagh has claimed that the allegations were part of a"political conspiracy" hatched by his rivals.

Maharashtra NCP President Madhukar Pichad suspended thelegislator and had asked the government to conduct anin-depth inquiry into the case, party spokesperson Madan Bafnatold PTI earlier.

Nashik police registered an FIR against Wagh, an MLA fromPachora in Jalgaon district, and his personal assistant MaheshMali yesterday for allegedly raping a 20-year-old girl.

The complaint said Wagh and Mali asked theAurangabad-based girl to come to Nashik on Thursday, promisingher a job, and allegedly raped her at a government guest housethere.

Neither have been arrested so far.

Maharashtra Home Minister and senior NCP leader R R Patilsaid police were investigating the matter. "All are equalbefore the law and police would conduct the probeimpartially," he said.