Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Police has filed a case against Virender Bahadur Pal, a former state secretary of the Samajwadi Party (SP), for allegedly raping a female lawyer who worked as his assistant, media reports said.

The complaint was filed by the woman, who is also a former president of the Mau Bar Association, in Mau district, Uttar Pradesh, according to an India Today report.

The woman accused Pal of blackmailing her with videos and photos, coercing her into a sexual relationship over the past year, and making repeated threats.

Following the filing of the FIR, Pal, who has twice served as the president of the Mau Bar Association, is currently absconding.

The police have launched a full investigation, and the victim has undergone a medical examination, said the report.

Reports indicate that two days prior to the complaint, a physical altercation occurred between Pal and the woman at the court premises.

Mau City Circle Officer (CO) Anjani Kumar Pandey stated, "On September 7, the victim lodged a complaint detailing sexual assault, physical violence, and threats. An FIR has been registered under the relevant sections of the law."

Pandey added that Pal, a lawyer from Chak Mehndi, Saraylakhansi, is under investigation, and legal action is ongoing, the report stated.

Pal is not only a practising lawyer but also a prominent SP leader.

His father, Dayaram Pal, previously served as a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) during the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) government and is currently the national secretary of SP, managing party activities in Uttarakhand.

Pal's connections with senior SP leaders such as Akhilesh Yadav, Shivpal Yadav, and Ghosi MLA Sudhakar Singh have been widely shared on social media, highlighting his political influence. However, the police have assured that they are taking all necessary steps to apprehend him and conduct a thorough investigation, India Today reported.

This case emerges shortly after another SP leader, Nawab Singh Yadav, was arrested for allegedly raping a 15-year-old girl.

Yadav, a former aide to Akhilesh Yadav's wife Dimple Yadav, was arrested on August 12 under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and POCSO Act and placed in 14-day judicial custody for the alleged rape of the minor.