AHMEDABAD: Deepu Gordhanbhai Prajapati, a BJP councilor from Ward No. 6 of Anand Municipality in Gujarat, is on the run after being accused of raping a married woman. The woman alleged that Prajapati obtained her mobile number six months ago under the guise of providing a voter slip and later blackmailed her with recordings of their phone conversations to coerce her.
Following a police case registered at Anand Town Police Station, Prajapati disappeared, prompting authorities to interrogate his associates, some of whom allegedly assaulted the victim's family. The BJP acted swiftly by suspending Prajapati as soon as the allegations surfaced.
A married woman from Anand city has alleged that BJP councilor Dipubhai Gordhanbhai Prajapati misused a voter-related inquiry to obtain her personal contact details. According to the victim's statement to the media, the incident occurred on the afternoon of June 6, 2024, when she was at home with her two young children while her husband was away at work.
Prajapati, who represents Ward No. 6 of Anand Municipality, reportedly visited her house under the pretext of inquiring about her voting receipt. When she stated she did not have it, Prajapati asked for her mobile number, claiming he would send the receipt via WhatsApp. Minutes after leaving, the receipt was sent to her phone.
BJP councilor Dipu Prajapati allegedly threatened and raped a married woman after obtaining her contact details under false pretences. According to the victim, Prajapati first called her, making inappropriate remarks and claiming to have her husband's video. When she hung up, he called again at night, threatening to share their phone conversations with her husband if she didn’t comply.
Around midnight, Prajapati reportedly visited her home, threatened her family’s safety, and raped her. Fearful for her husband and children, the woman initially remained silent about the incident.
On November 16, 2024, around 11:30 p.m., BJP councilor Prajapati allegedly approached a married woman, gesturing for her to call him while passing her house. When she ignored him, he called her directly, stating he would visit her home shortly, despite her refusal.
Fearing for her safety, the woman briefly went to her parents' house and returned home by 9 p.m. Later, around 10 p.m., while her husband and children were out buying ice cream, Prajapati allegedly entered her home and raped her. The husband returned during the incident and caught Prajapati red-handed, leading to a commotion that drew neighbours to the scene.
Following the alleged assault by BJP councilor Prajapati, his brothers and associates armed with sticks and pipes attacked the victim's family. CCTV footage of the violent clash has surfaced, showing the altercation.
During the scuffle, Prajapati was injured by the victim's family and neighbours. After receiving first aid at a nearby hospital, he went into hiding.
“We have registered the victim's complaint and initiated an investigation. While the main accused, Deepu Prajapati, remains at large, we have detained two of his associates involved in the altercation and are questioning them,” stated Police Inspector V.D. Jhala of Anand Town Police Station.
The BJP swiftly suspended councilor Dipubhai Gordhanbhai Prajapati after serious allegations led to a police complaint. Anand District BJP President Rajesh Patel, in a letter, cited the case as damaging to the party's dignity and confirmed the suspension on State President C.R. Patil's orders.