Solan, October 12:
A political storm has erupted in Himachal Pradesh after Ram Kumar Bindal, the elder brother of state BJP president Dr. Rajeev Bindal, was arrested on rape charges following a woman’s complaint in Solan.
The 81-year-old Ayurvedic practitioner, accused of sexually assaulting a 25-year-old woman under the guise of treatment, has been remanded to five days’ police custody.
According to police sources, the woman visited Bindal’s clinic near the old bus stand on October 7 seeking treatment for a health issue.
In her complaint, she alleged that during the consultation, Bindal inappropriately touched her, questioned her about sexual health, and insisted on examining her private parts despite her resistance.
She claimed he then forced an assault, after which she fled the clinic in distress.
The next day, she lodged a complaint at the women’s police station, leading to an FIR under Sections 64 and 68 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, relating to rape and sexual assault by a person in authority.
The Solan police have since sealed the clinic and conducted a forensic examination.
Investigators reportedly recovered a torn page from the patient register and are scrutinising CCTV footage from the area.
Police said the evidence, coupled with witness accounts, warranted Bindal’s arrest.
However, he was shifted to Regional Hospital Solan after developing chest pain, where doctors are supervising his condition during interrogation.
Meanwhile, the case has triggered a fierce political tussle. The Mahila Congress Janeb Chandel has demanded Dr. Rajeev Bindal’s resignation on moral grounds, calling for protection and justice for the survivor.
Women’s groups and the State Women’s Commission have also stepped in, with Chairperson Vidya Negi seeking a detailed report from the Solan SP to ensure a fair and transparent probe.
On the other hand, the BJP’s Mahila Morcha president Daisy Thakur has rubbished the allegations as “fabricated, manipulated, and politically motivated.”
She defended Bindal, describing him as a respected social worker who is being targeted to tarnish the BJP’s image.
Dr. Rajeev Bindal himself has expressed shock, terming the case “deeply distressing” for the family and hinting at a “political conspiracy” behind the allegations.
Surprisingly, neither leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur nor Anurag Singh Thakur have reacted to the allegations and arrest of elderly Bindal.
Party insiders say the development has embarrassed the BJP leadership, especially since Bindal was elevated to his post by JP Nadda, the national party president.
The police have maintained that the investigation will proceed strictly on the basis of evidence, without political interference.
Forensic reports and medical findings are awaited, which could determine the future course of the case.
As the controversy deepens, the incident has once again spotlighted women’s safety, medical ethics, and accountability in positions of power — even within families of top political figures.
#HimachalPolitics #JusticeForSurvivor #BindalCase #WomenSafety #PoliticalStorm #DueProcess #RuleOfLaw #BetiBachao
