Suspended BJP leader Seema Patra, accused of torturing her tribal domestic help, was arrested by Ranchi police in the wee hours of Wednesday. Police sources said Seema Patra will be produced in court later in the day and sent to jail.
Seema Patra had fled fearing police arrest, following which Argora police in Ranchi launched a search operation for her. Sunita, who worked as a domestic maid, was allegedly made to clean the toilet with her tongue.
Sunita had multiple wounds throughout her body. She has alleged that Seema Patra used to burn her with hot objects.
A case was registered against Patra, wife of former IAS officer Maheshwar Patra, under the relevant section of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and sections of the SC-ST Act, 1989, at the Argoda police station in Ranchi. The statement of Sunita was recorded in court under Section 164 on Tuesday. The Jharkhand BJP suspended Seema Patra after she was accused of abusing her domestic help.
Ranchi police had also raided several locations to arrest Seema Patra and, acting on a tip off, police arrested her while she was trying to escape from Ranchi via road.
WHO IS SEEMA PATRA?
Seema Patra is the state convener of the ‘Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao’ campaign. She was a member of BJP's women wing and is the wife of ex-IAS officer Maheshwar Patra.
Seema Patra’s son, Ayushman, working at the state secretariat, attempted to shield the maid and he had informed his friend, Vivek Baske, about the incidents at home. Sunita finally spoke about her ordeal to Vivek and was rescued with his help.
The National Commission for Women took cognizance of reports of Seema Patra harassing her domestic help in Jharkhand.
In a statement, NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma said that the panel has written to DGP, Jharkhand, to arrest the accused if the allegations leveled are found to be true.
“The Commission has also written for a fair and time-bound investigation in the matter,” Rekha Sharma had said.
(With inputs from Akash Kumar)