BJP MLA’s brother, party worker booked for rape in Hansi

A woman has accused Mahendra Bhayana, brother of Hansi BJP MLA Vinod Bhayana, and BJP worker Jagdish Bhatia of rape, alleging the incident occurred in 2019, just days before the Haryana Assembly elections. The police have initiated an investigation into the allegations.

According to police sources, the woman claimed that Jagdish Bhatia, who used to supply sweets at political events, called her to his shop near Bhatia Kutia under the pretext of collecting sweets. Upon arriving, she alleges that Mahendra Bhayana was already present, and that both men sexually assaulted her inside the shop. She further stated that she was later pressured to remain silent about the incident.

Reacting to the allegation, MLA Vinod Bhayana called the charges “false and part of a conspiracy” to defame him and his family.

“The truth will come out. The woman has earlier made similar allegations against someone else but retracted those in court,” Bhayana said.

He also raised doubts about the timing of the complaint. “Why did she remain silent for six years if the incident happened in 2019? My brother is 65 years old. If there is even a grain of truth in this allegation, the police will take appropriate action,” he said.

He added, “My brother is an individual with his own identity. Our characters should not be linked.”

A police spokesperson confirmed that a formal complaint has been received and an investigation is underway. “Given the serious nature of the allegations, all aspects of the complaint are being thoroughly examined,” the official said.

Hansi SP Amit Yashvardhan said since the case pertains to a crime against a woman, he could not comment further at this stage.