Second nursing student alleges Andhra MLA raped her

Hyderabad: The murder and rape case against a legislator of Andhra Pradesh's main opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Saturday took a new turn when another student of a nursing college run by the politician complained to the state's home minister that he raped her.

The student, along with four others and their parents, met Home Minister P Sabita Indra Reddy to complain against T V Rama Rao, MLA from Kovvur Assembly constituency.

One student said the politician had raped her and another alleged that he had twice attempted to rape her. The minister said the nursing students were from a college in Nidadavolu town in West Godavari district.

"Three other students who were sharing a room with them in the college hostel came forward as witnesses. I have asked the girls to say whatever they have told me before CID (Criminal Investigation Department)," said Reddy.

After the case was handed over to the CID for investigations last week, the Home Minister asked the students to appear before CID officials and record their statements.

The students complained to the minister that the legislator locked them in a room and threatened them with dire consequences if they speak out after he was booked for murder and rape on June 18. They said an associate of the legislator forcibly put them in a vehicle and sent them to Chennai.

They alleged that the rape and attempts to rape took place in March and April but they were afraid to speak out.

"The girls told me that their parents are daily wage workers and they paid the college fee with great difficulty. They said their lives were spoiled but they dared to come out so that strong action be taken against the legislator and the lives of other girls are saved," said the home minister.

She denied allegations by the TDP that the government was trying to implicate the legislator in a false case.

"The government can't play with the lives of these girls. Rama Rao is not important but these girls are important for the government," she said.

Reacting to Saturday's development, Rama Rao said it was a conspiracy by the government to implicate him.

The legislator and his family members went on an indefinite fast in Hyderabad alleging that the Congress government was trying to implicate him in a false case. TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu has also charged the government with foisting a false case against the legislator.