NAGAON: Abu Shama, an Independent candidate from Nagaon Lok Sabha constituency in Assam, has been arrested on charges of raping and blackmailing a woman.
The incident reportedly occurred at his pharmacy a few months ago, an Assam police officer disclosed on Monday (May 20).
The victim filed a complaint at Juria police station in Nagaon district of Assam, alleging that Shama raped her when she went to his pharmacy to purchase medicines.
She further claimed that Shama recorded the assault and used the video to extort approximately Rs 5 lakh from her by threatening to release it on social media.
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Following his arrest, Shama was remanded to judicial custody on Sunday (May 19).
In a related development, two journalists from Juria were also arrested based on a First Information Report (FIR) filed by Shama.
He alleged that the journalists had demanded money from him in exchange for not broadcasting the news of his alleged crimes.
“We are investigating both cases, and further details will be known only at a later stage,” the police stated.
The Nagaon Lok Sabha constituency in Assam went to the polls on April 26.