Chinmayanand's judicial custody gets extended in Shahjahanpur Case

A court on Wednesday extended the judicial custody of former Union Minister Swami Chinmayanand in connection with the alleged rape of a law student. As per sources, Chinamayanand was not produced before the court in person. He appeared before the court through video conferencing from the prison and the court has extended his judicial custody till October 30. The court had already dismissed his bail plea and they will now approach the High Court for the bail.

The court had earlier sent the former Union Minister to judicial custody till October 16. Chinmayanand was arrested on September 20 following which he was sent to judicial custody. He was also admitted to SGPGI Hospital in Lucknow till October 1 due to his health condition, following which he was sent back to Shahjahanpur jail.

Meanwhile, the girl is also accused of demanding extortion money to the tune of Rs 5 crore from Chinmayanand. She was also sent to judicial custody in a case of extortion registered against her in the matter.

READ: Court allows SIT to collect voice samples of Chinmayanand and student

READ: Priyanka Gandhi demands to register rape case against Chinmayanand

Chinmayanand rape case

The woman had alleged that Chinmayanand sexually exploited her for a year after helping her with admission into his college. He allegedly filmed her taking a bath and blackmailed her with the video and raped her. The case surfaced when she went missing on August 24 after putting up a Facebook post without naming Chinmayanand. The girl's family has said that she has been taken into custody 'forcibly', as per news reports. When the UP police tracked her down after a week, the Supreme Court heard her allegations and ordered a Special Investigation Team to inquire into the case.

The BJP had distanced itself from the controversy and stated that the rape accused Minister is no more a part of the party. "Chinmayanand is not a BJP member anymore,” said UP BJP unit spokesperson in Lucknow.

READ: Chinmayanand complains of eye problem, after discharge from hospital

READ: Bail pleas of BJP leader, student rejected; Chinmayanand back in jail

(With Inputs from ANI)