Hyderabad: After All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MLC Mirza Rahmath Baig was expelled from the party at midnight without an explanation, Telangana BJP president N Ramchander Rao alleged that Baig was involved in a sexual assault of a minor girl and slammed political parties for their silence.
Speaking to the media, Rao said, “The Majlis party MLC was caught sexually assaulting a minor girl…this should have come out earlier, but the party has taken action only now.”
He also accused Congress and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) of helping Baig win the MLC post and asked them to come out and speak on the issue now.
“An enquiry should be conducted if there were any such cases previously; there are many MIM leaders involved in things like this,” Rao alleged.
Goshamahal MLA T Raja Singh had also referred to claims and allegations being circulated on social media concerning Rahmath Baig, including allegations relating to land disputes and an alleged sexual scandal.
He questioned whether these allegations had any bearing on the party’s decision.
The allegations circulating on social media have not been independently verified, and there is no confirmation from the police or other competent authorities establishing their veracity.
Activist demands women commission’s involvement
Local activist and advocate Dr Lubna Sarwath demanded that the public be informed of the reason for the expulsion. She also said that if any criminal acts necessitated the action, AIMIM must disclose whether any legal action has been taken against Baig, as a mere resignation would not do justice.
“What were the unbecoming acts of the MLC that necessitated a midnight expulsion? Were legal procedures initiated if any criminal acts? People must know. While viral social media videos by journalists are suggesting that a minor girl/ woman was assaulted/raped by Rahmath Baig, it is necessary that a criminal/POCSO case be booked promptly; mere resignations and expulsions do not render justice,” Sarwath stated in a letter addressed to the Telangana Director General of Police CV Anand.
“We also urge the Telangana Women Commission to take up the viral social media videos suggesting the rape/POCSO crime against MLC Rahmath Baig, and render justice so that the child/woman is not silenced but emancipated. Why has not the child/woman raised a complaint if the suggestions in viral videos are correct? Is she/family suppressed?” she added.
Mirza Rahmath Baig files complaint with Cyber Crime Police
The development comes a day after media reports that Baig had approached the Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police alleging that unidentified persons were threatening and blackmailing him by claiming that they would release deepfake and morphed photographs and videos of him unless he paid them money.
According to the complaint, the callers allegedly threatened to damage his family’s reputation as well as his political career. Cyber Crime Police reportedly registered a case and launched an investigation to identify the people behind the calls.