Ex-councillor accused of rape, named in FIR with aide

Gurgaon: A former Pataudi councillor and his accomplice have been named in an FIR for allegedly raping a woman over the past two years after assuring her that they would help settle her matrimonial dispute and dowry case with her husband’s family in Faridabad.Police said the woman had been locked in legal battles with her husband after their marriage broke down soon after their wedding eight years ago. According to her complaint, Zahid, the former councillor, and Sonu entered the picture claiming they could broker a compromise with her husband and in-laws. They then exploited the trust.The woman alleged that the abuse began in Oct 2024, when Sonu took her to a hotel on the pretext of mediation and raped her.

She told police he later blackmailed her into silence. Over the following months, she claimed, the woman was assaulted repeatedly at different hotels and at a house in Pataudi, where both men raped her on several occasions.She further alleged that on Feb 17 this year, the two assaulted her again at a hotel. When she threatened to go to police, they allegedly issued death threats.According to the complaint, Zahid and his wife stopped her at a market this Friday and assaulted her on the road to stop her from filing a case.

She then approached police with her sister. As she can’t read and write, her statement was recorded by a legal adviser in the presence of police.An FIR was registered under sections 64(2)(m), 70(1) and 351(2) of the BNS, accounting for rape, gang rape and criminal intimidation.“The woman has identified the locations of the crime. We are scanning hotel registers for evidence. The investigation is on,” an officer said. The accused were yet to be arrested on Saturday evening.