Uttarakhand BJP MLA Mahesh Negi has been charged for rape and criminal intimidation by the state police weeks after a woman accused him of the crime. A case has been registered against his wife Rita Negi as well.

"A case of rape and criminal intimidation under sections 376 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been registered against the MLA and his wife," said Rakesh Gosain, SHO, Nehru colony police station.

The MLA from Dwarahat constituency however denied the claims made by the woman and said its part of a conspiracy to defame him. He added that the woman is misleading the court with fabricated information.

Negi has also pressed on the fact that Congress leaders were involved in it.

A police complaint was lodged by the woman on August 16 accusing the MLA of raping her and fathering her daughter. The woman also demanded a DNA test to prove her claims.