Badoli should quit until cleared of rape charge: Vij

Haryana's Energy Minister Anil Vij today said state BJP president Mohan Lal Badoli, who is a co-accused in a gangrape case in Himachal Pradesh, should resign to maintain the sanctity of the party.

In a reply to a question on Badoli, Vij said: “Mohan Lal ji has said he is innocent, and the witness has also stated her innocence. I have full confidence that the Himachal Pradesh Police’s investigation will prove him innocent. However, until the Himachal Police clear him, he should resign from his position to maintain the sanctity of the party.”

Vij made these statements in Ambala Cantonment after inaugurating various development projects. Earlier, he had described the allegations as serious.

Badoli and singer Rocky Mittal were named in a gangrape case, registered on December 13, 2024, at Kasauli. A woman had alleged that Badoli and Mittal had forced her to consume alcohol and raped her at a hotel in Kasauli (Solan) in July 2023, and even added that they had shot her compromising videos and photos.

Meanwhile, regarding a letter issued against “corrupt” patwaris, Vij said if they had done anything wrong, action would be taken against them. “The government has collected data, and I appreciate the government for gathering this information." He also appealed to patwaris to work for the people.

On the Yamunanagar thermal power plant, he said, "All hurdles for establishing an 800 MW thermal power plant have been cleared. I spoke to the Environment Minister about this yesterday, and I hope his letter will be received. If the letter is received today, we will issue instructions to the agency to begin their work today itself."

While clarifying issues related to electricity surcharges, he said, "No electricity surcharge has been increased in Haryana. The surcharge from last year has simply been continued."