Paraskar rape case:Women Commission seeks stern action against model's ex-lawyer

Maharashtra State Commission for Women has written a letter to the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa seeking a strict action for "professional misconduct" against Rizwan Siddiqui, former lawyer of a odel-turned-actress who has accused senior IPS officer Sunil Paraskar of raping and molesting her.
Siddiqui, who briefly represented the model, told police on Tuesday that the woman brought up the charge against Paraskar only to gain publicity to enter a reality show and she had never told him about any rape.
"The Maharashtra State Commission for Women has taken a strict cognisance on the unethical behaviour of Siddiqui. We sincerely hope that the Bar Council will take strict and stern action against him, including the cancellation of his license to practice," said Susieben Shah, Chairperson of the state Women's Commission here today.

She said that the privileged communication between the model and Siddiqui was "leaked" with the sole intention of maligning the image of the victim.
"I request the Bar Council to set a precedent that such professional misconduct is not repeated by any advocate of Maharashtra in future," Shah added.
The model (25) had lodged a complaint against Paraskar (57), currently posted as DIG (Protection of Civil Rights Units) at Maharashtra Police Headquarters here, on July 23 and accused him of raping and molesting her between November 2013 and March 2014 when he was posted as the Additional Commissioner of Police (North Region) with the Mumbai police.

Following a complaint by the model, Paraskar was booked under IPC sections 376(2)(rape by a police officer), 376 C (intercourse by superintendent of jail, remand home, etc) and 354(D) (stalking).
The Commission had on August 4 written a letter to Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria, demanding suspension of Paraskar to "ensure a free and a fair investigation."
Shah had also urged Maria to submit a status report on the investigation.