New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on July 25 registered a case of rape against former Uttaranchal minister Harak Singh Rawat after conducting preliminary probe into the "unwed mother" episode that led to his resignation from the state Cabinet.

Rawat has been named as an accused in the case registered after recording the statement of Indira Devi alias Jaini, who alleged that he had established physical relationship with her against her wishes, CBI sources said.

The victim told the investigators that the minister had promised her a job and lured her to enter into a relationship with him, much against her wishes, the CBI first information report (FIR) said.

The CBI said the minister had lodged her in a government home with a promise that she would be provided with a government job within a month.

Jaini delivered a baby on June 15 at government hospital, which created a flutter in the state Assembly with the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) demanding a thorough probe into the case.

Initially reluctant to carry out the probe, the CBI began investigations into the case on July 12 and questioned the former minister and other officials, Rawat's domestic servants and Jaini.

Uttaranchal Assembly witnessed high drama from June 18 after the Opposition parties alleged that the Jaini's baby was fathered by Rawat, which prompted the state Chief Minister N D Tiwari to recommend a CBI probe.

PTI