Karnataka Police on Tuesday arrested a BJP worker in connection with the alleged 'love jihad' case in Udupi district.
The BJP had run a campaign over the abduction and rape case and slammed the Karnataka government alleging a 'love jihad' angle.
The arrested BJP worker identified as Abhay is the third accused to be arrested in the case.
Police stated that Abhay had helped the main accused Altaf to escape after the incident.
The Karkala Town police have also slapped the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS Act) against him as investigation has revealed that Abhay had provided drugs to Altaf.
The accused had posted BJP MLA and Karnataka General Secretary, V Sunil Kumar's photo in his social media account and also identified with Hindu organisations, police said.
A probe has revealed that Abhay was close to Altaf.
The development has triggered a debate on social media.
Abhay had also taken part in the campaign against drugs organised by the Bajrang Dal and he was also a part of the team which submitted a memorandum to the Deputy SP of Karkala.
More details are yet to emerge regarding the incident.
The police department is yet to give an official statement regarding the development.
An incident of an Instagram friend kidnapping and raping a 21-year-old woman had come to light on last Saturday from Karkala town of Udupi district.
The police had arrested two persons in this connection and the victim was admitted to hospital.
The case had taken a twist with Hindu organisations alleging 'love jihad' and claiming that the victim was gang-raped.
The police had warned of strict action against those spreading rumours.
The arrested persons were identified as Altaf and Savera Richard Kardosa.
Udupi SP, Dr Arun Kumar had stated, "We received a complaint on Friday evening regarding the kidnap and rape of a young woman. The victim and accused were friends on Instagram for three months. The accused and the victim belong to the same place."
The accused Altaf, who was the woman's Instagram friend, had called the victim and asked her to come to a particular spot near her work place on Friday noon.
When the victim reached a particular spot, she was kidnapped from there, he stated.
The victim claims that she was forced to consume a drink laced with some sedative substances and the accused then raped her, SP Arun Kumar had stated.
After committing the crime, the accused had dropped the victim home, he had said.
(With inputs from IANS)
