Senior NCP leader for Maharashtra's Wardha district, Prof Diwakar Game, was arrested on Saturday evening over the alleged harassment of a woman in her twenties.
The incident, which came to light on Sunday—also International Women's Day—sparked widespread shock in the community.
According to the Pulgaon Police, the incident began about five years ago, when the victim—then aged 21—was lured by Game under the promise of a job. Over the years, the woman alleged that the 78-year-old leader constantly demanded sexual favours from her.
The police statement also noted that Game had close ties to the victim's family, according to a Loksatta report.
The report added that the case escalated when he allegedly sent her obscene photos and videos earlier this week.
This upset the woman, who finally reported him to the Pulgaon Police, leading to the NCP leader's arrest on Saturday evening, as well as the seizure of his mobile phone. Further evidence linked to the case is expected to be obtained from his phone.
According to the report, the 78-year-old was a senior leader of the Ajit Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) from the Wardha district, and also held other positions in the political and educational sector.
It added that he was the Nagpur divisional president of the A.B. Mahatma Phule Samata Parishad, in addition to being the former director of the state government's Mahajyoti initiative.
Game was taken to a court after his arrest, which remanded him to 15 days of judicial custody. The case will be further investigated by Pulgaon SDPO Dr Vandana Karkhele, the report noted.
