In a disturbing development on Sunday (8th September), the Mau police in Uttar Pradesh took a significant legal step by lodging a First Information Report (FIR) against a prominent Samajwadi party leader, Virendra Bahadur Pal, for his alleged involvement in the sexual assault of a female lawyer.

Virendra Bahadur Pal, who is no stranger to the political landscape, is the offspring of former Samajwadi party MLA Dayaram Pal. His political involvement is deep-rooted, having previously held the position of President of the Central Mau Bar Association. This background adds a complex layer to the allegations, suggesting a mix of political influence and legal expertise.

The case unfolded when the female lawyer courageously stepped forward to file a complaint with the Mau police. She detailed a harrowing sequence of events, accusing Virendra Bahadur Pal of raping her after drugging her drink to incapacitate her. But the ordeal did not stop there. According to her account, the Samajwadi party leader also recorded an obscene video of the sexual act. This video became a tool for coercion and manipulation, as Pal allegedly used it to force her into subsequent sexual encounters under the threat of public exposure.

The victim's statement further reveals the psychological and physical torment she endured, stating that Pal threatened to distribute the video across social media platforms, an act which could have devastating social and personal repercussions. Adding to her plight, she disclosed that she was forcibly taken to Lucknow by Pal, indicating a premeditated plan to isolate her from her familiar surroundings and possibly from any potential help.

In a disconcerting continuation of the case against Virendra Bahadur Pal, a former leader of the Samajwadi Party, the Mau police have confirmed that Pal has been evading arrest since the FIR was officially registered. This ongoing evasion has prompted the local police force to initiate a manhunt to locate and apprehend the absconding suspect.

The victim's path to justice has been fraught with hurdles. Initially, her efforts to register a complaint with the local police were met with inaction. It was only after she escalated the matter by appealing directly to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath that the local authorities mobilized to take her allegations seriously. This intervention underscores the significant role that higher governmental powers can play in ensuring that justice processes are activated, especially in cases involving politically connected figures.

As per the details released by the Mau City police, the alleged criminal acts occurred on September 6. During this encounter, Pal reportedly committed the assault within the confines of his chamber, coupling physical abuse with threats aimed at silencing the victim. The police FIR meticulously details these accusations, including threats made by Pal to intimidate the victim, thereby preventing her from disclosing the violent incident.

The legal charges against Pal are severe and numerous, encapsulating various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. He faces accusations under Sections 115(2), which pertains to voluntarily causing hurt; 351(2), involving criminal intimidation; 352, related to intentional insult with the intent to provoke a breach of peace; 123, which deals with causing hurt by means of poison with the intent to commit an offence; and notably, 64(2)(m), which concerns the repeated rape of the same woman.

In a statement to the media, Mau City CO Anjani Kumar Pandey conveyed the specifics of the FIR. "A complaint was given by a victim against a person named Virendra Bahadur Pal for having an illegal relationship and assault, on which case was registered. According to her application, the said person went to his chamber on the 6th of September, abused, assaulted her, and also threatened her not to reveal any past facts," he detailed, emphasizing the gravity of the accusations and the ongoing efforts to bring Pal to justice.

The unfolding case against Virendra Bahadur Pal, a former president of the local Bar Association and a noted figure in Mau, has reached a critical juncture with the police actively investigating the serious allegations brought against him by a female lawyer. The victim, who had worked closely with Pal, brought her complaints to the Mau City police station where her grievances were formally recorded and an FIR was registered, marking the commencement of the legal process.

The detailed accusations laid out in the FIR are grave. The victim alleges that Virendra Bahadur Pal not only drugged and raped her but also filmed the act. The existence of these explicit videos is reportedly what Pal used as leverage, threatening to release them unless she complied with his further sexual demands. This form of coercion highlights a sinister abuse of power and trust, especially given his position in the legal community. Furthermore, the victim’s ordeal was compounded by being forcibly taken to Lucknow, which she claims was against her will, adding layers of fear and helplessness to her situation.

After the registration of the case, it became apparent that Pal chose to evade legal accountability by going into hiding, complicating the police’s efforts to apprehend him. This action of disappearing post-FIR registration casts a shadow over his innocence and raises questions about his intentions to face the charges laid against him.

The plight of the female lawyer in getting her complaint registered sheds light on the systemic challenges individuals often face when accusing persons of influence. Her initial attempts were futile and her complaints remained unregistered for several days, suggesting a possible reluctance within the local police to take action against a prominent community member. It was only with the intervention of Uttar Pradesh's Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, that the police were spurred into action, illustrating the impact of political will in enforcing the law, irrespective of the accused's status.

The ongoing investigation by the Mau police is a crucial step in unraveling the events that led to these severe allegations. As the police continue their search for Virendra Bahadur Pal, the legal proceedings are expected to unearth whether the accusations hold merit, ensuring that justice is served based on the facts of the case. This situation not only tests the resolve of the local law enforcement but also serves as a litmus test for the broader legal system’s ability to handle cases involving influential figures without bias.