Bidar: A case was registered at the women’s police station in Bidar city on Sunday against Prateek Chavvan, the son of BJP MLA Prabhu Chavvan from Aurad, for allegedly deceiving and raping a woman under the pretence of marriage.According to the complaint filed by a 25-year-old woman from Udgir, Maharashtra, she connected with Prateek on Instagram two years ago. Subsequently, he invited her to Bengaluru with marriage promises, where he allegedly raped her repeatedly at a hotel under duress.Prateek’s family visited her residence and agreed to the marriage, the complainant said. An engagement ceremony took place in December 2023, with the wedding planned for May 2024. However, Prateek delayed the wedding, citing Lok Sabha elections and the monsoon.Prateek took her to Latur and Shirdi in Maharashtra, where he continued to threaten and sexually assault her, the complaint alleged. When her family approached Prateek’s household to discuss the marriage, MLA Prabhu refused the alliance, she said.The case was registered under IPC sections 376(2)(N), 366, 324 and 506.At a media interaction on Monday, the woman appeared with her face covered and refuted Prabhu’s allegations about her involvement with another boy. She said neither she nor her family had any political backing, and no one was orchestrating their actions.Conspiracy to defame my family: PrabhuMeanwhile, Prabhu claimed this was a conspiracy to defame his family, specifically accusing former Bidar BJP MP Bhagwanth Khuba’s team.Regarding the woman’s complaint to the women’s commission, Prabhu alleged she maintained inappropriate communication with another person through messages and video calls. Prabhu stated he advised the woman since the engagement and discussed the matter with her brother-in-law. He said the marriage was cancelled following consultations with Banjara community leaders. Prabhu said he has a 30-year unblemished political career and arranged numerous marriages.A counter FIR was lodged by one of his brothers against eight members of the girl’s family at Hokarn police station in Aurad taluk on Sunday. The accused individuals allegedly assaulted Prabhu and vandalised the doors of his residence in Aurad taluk.Bidar SP Pradeep Gunti said the investigation is ongoing.
