Surat, May 20 – In a serious case of sexual assault involving a 23-year-old woman, two accused individuals—Aditya Upadhyay, general secretary of BJP Ward No. 8, and his associate Gaurav Singh Rajput—were presented before the court today. The court granted a four-day police remand for both accused following their arrest on May 19.
As per agency report, the incident came to light after the woman filed a complaint alleging that the accused lured her to the seashore from Ved Road, where she was given a caffeinated cold drink laced with an intoxicating substance. After her condition worsened, the duo reportedly took her to a hotel in the Jahangirpura area and allegedly raped her in a semi-conscious state.
Upon regaining consciousness, the victim immediately contacted the police. A case was registered at the Jahangirpura police station, and both accused were promptly arrested. In the wake of the allegations, the Bharatiya Janata Party suspended Aditya Upadhyay from the party with immediate effect.
On the same day as the court hearing, the Surat Municipal Corporation took action against Upadhyay’s illegal roadside eatery. Located near Datt Mandir and the water treatment plant in the Ved Road area, the makeshift non-vegetarian dhaba was operating on an open plot without proper authorization. Municipal officials demolished the illegal structure using a bulldozer.
The police had initially sought a ten-day custody for the accused but were granted four days by the court. During this period, investigators plan to conduct in-depth examinations of all locations involved, including the hotel room, and gather critical evidence such as CCTV footage, billing records, and forensic materials.
Authorities also plan to confront the accused with the victim’s medical reports, official statements, and other corroborating evidence. The investigation will further probe the sequence of events, including how and where the intoxicant was administered and the details of the alleged assault at the hotel.
This incident has sparked outrage and raised serious concerns about women's safety and misuse of political power. The swift suspension and administrative action have underscored the seriousness with which the case is being handled.
