BJP leader Somashekar Jayaraj faces rape charges, FIR registered

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: An FIR has been registered against businessman and BJP leader Somashekar Jayaraj, also known as Zym Soma, on charges of rape. The Ashoknagar police registered the case based on a complaint filed by a 26-year-old woman who alleged that he raped her under the pretext of providing financial assistance. The complainant was introduced to Somashekar through a friend. She had asked Somashekar for ?6 lakh as she was getting married last year.

In October, Somashekar took her to his flat on Longford Road, claiming he would give her the money. There, he allegedly made her drink alcohol against her will, raped her, and threatened to kill her if she revealed the incident. The Ashoknagar police have registered a case against Somashekar and initiated an investigation. Somashekar is currently absconding. Somashekar, who contested as a BJP candidate from the Sakleshpur constituency in the 2018 assembly elections, was defeated by JDS's HK Kumaraswamy.