His men held for rape bid,MLA suspended by Maya

The two women,along with their male companions,were returning to Delhi on Tuesday after a trip to Rishikesh. Late at night,they stopped at a service station on National Highway 58 after their car developed a snag. Police said it was then that men arrived in a red Pajero with a beacon atop and abducted the women.

While the women’s companions were beaten and held hostage,the accused attempted to rape the women.

Investigations into the case led the police to Narender and Jarar,personal security men of Rana and his wife Intikhab Rana who is the Muzaffarnagar panchayat chairperson. The security men were arrested and handed over to the STF.

Taking serious note of the incident,Mayawati suspended Shahnawaz Rana from the party,Principal Secretary (Home) Kunwar Fateh Bahadur told reporters in Lucknow.

“The Special Task Force has been directed to probe the incident. Stern action will be taken against anyone found guilty,” he said,adding that the car and a pistol used in the incident had been recovered.

On Thursday,Rana had issued a statement saying that though the government had provided him security,he could not be held responsible for their personal conduct or keep tab on their activities.

He had also said that he did not know those named in the FIR.