Delhi Police have registered an FIR against the managing editor of a Hindi news channel Samachar Plus, Umesh Kumar, on charges of rape and criminal intimidation, which have been levelled against him by a colleague.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), New Delhi, B K Singh, said the complaint was made on 13 February at Tughlak Road police station in this connection.

Singh said the complainant told police that Umesh Kumar had allegedly sexually assaulted and occasionally abused her.

The DCP said, “In 2016, the complainant was working in Zenetix Gym (at Indrapuram in Delhi) when she met Umesh Kumar.

After they became good friends, Umesh offered the complainant a designation of vice president in his news channel.” In April 2017, she joined Samachar Plus.

Singh said they subsequently started a relationship and were often meeting at various hotels and occasionally at Umesh’s house.

“The complainant,” Singh said, “told police that Umesh told her he was not married and promised to marry her in future.”

Singh said on 9 June 2017, Umesh called her at his residence and allegedly committed rape on the pretext of marriage. Thereafter, he allegedly repeated the same several times.

“On 26 August 2017, Umesh invited her to Claridges hotel, where she got to know that Umesh is married and has two kids. Since then, quarrel started between them,” the DCP said.

He said the complainant also alleged that Umesh offered her financial help and asked her not to disclose their relationship to anyone.

On 13 February 2018, the complainant approached Tughlak Road police station and lodged a complaint of rape and criminal intimidation against Umesh.

She submitted a record of her conversation with Umesh as evidence to the police.

A case under Sections 376 (rape) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of Indian Penal Code has been registered at Tughlak Road police station against Umesh.

The complainant’s statement was recorded under Section 164 CrPc on Saturday.

The DCP said that Claridges’ authorities have also confirmed the presence of the accused in the hotel and have told the police that a room had been booked in his name.