BJP says Chinmayanand was never a party member

Uttar Pradesh BJP president Swatantra Dev Singh claimed that former Union minister Swami Chinmayanand, arrested in a sexual harassment case, had never been a member of the party and hence there was no question of expelling him.

 "He was never a BJP member and hence the question does not arise," he told reporters.

Chinmayanand was minister of state for internal affairs in third Vajpayee Ministry. Wikipedia says he was elected to 13th Lok Sabha from Jaunpur as a BJP candidate in 1999.

Chinmayanand was arrested in Shahjahanpur on Friday following a complaint by a 23-year-old student who alleged she was raped and physically exploited by the politician for over a year. He has been remanded to judicial custody for 14 days. 

Chinmayanand was booked under Sections 376C, 354D (stalking), 342 (wrongful confinement) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.

On Monday, the 72-year-old leader was admitted at Lucknow's Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, complaining of chest pain, and remains there under observation.

Woman in custody

Meanwhile, the student who accused Chinmayanand of rape was arrested on Wednesday on charges of extortion and sent to 14 days judicial custody.

SIT chief Naveen Arora said the student was arrested after "enough" digital and forensic evidence were found and statements of people recorded.

"We have sufficient evidence that Rs 5 crore extortion money was demanded from Chinmayanand. Those arrested said they sent messages to Chinmayanand on directions of the girl in panic as they were not getting money and were upset," he said.