Incidentally, a second FIR against Tiwari for “criminal intimidation” was registered at Arghora police station on July 16 following the rape victim wrote to the public prosecutor on June 26 that she was being “intimidated” at his behest.

Pradhan confirmed that the complainant was present in the Ranchi court on July 11 when she signed the withdrawal petition in person. When asked the rationale behind lodging a complaint, Pradhan said he did not know of the fresh FIR.

The Indian Express contacted the complainant, however, she refused to comment on the issue.

Her petition in the court for a compromise stated that she and Tiwari have “resolved their disputes and differences at the intervention of common friends and well wishers” and that she “does not have any grievance with the accused…”

The petition stated: “…the informant (complainant) does not want to pursue the present case (2021 rape case)…against the accused (Tiwari). Hence the same may be disposed of in the interest of justice. That it is humbly stated the instant application is made out of free will without any coercion and undue influence.”

Ranchi Police has already filed the chargesheet in the 2021 rape case against Tiwari under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, among others. The first FIR against Tiwari came months after he had filed an intervenor application in Bombay High Court and later a writ petition for a court-monitored CBI probe into the rape allegation against Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren. In June 2021, Tiwari had also written to Jharkhand Chief Secretary and DGP, apprehending a false case against him following the writ applications.

Following the rape FIR in August 2021, Tiwari was arrested in the case and was later granted bail by the High Court.

On the entire issue, BJP Spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo said: “Just to defeat the entire compromise petition, a case was registered against Tiwari. But we have full faith in the judiciary.”