A high-profile sexual exploitation of a minor Dalit girl, who is the daughter of a former Congress minister, has taken a new turn with a senior leader of the same party booked in the case.

The victim, during the course of investigation alleged afresh that Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee (BPCC) vice-president Brajesh Pandey has sexually exploited her. Automobile businessman and retired IAS official's son Nikhil Priyadarshi is the main accused in the case, that was lodged in SC/ST police station in Patna on December 22, 2016.

Pandey tendered his resignation from BPCC vice-president's post late on Tuesday evening, and called the accusation a conspiracy against him. His resignation was accepted by BPCC chief Ashok Choudhary.

Pandey, who has also been accused of running an inter-state sex racket by the victim, has been booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. "Pandey's name has been included in the case based on the supervision note submitted by CID women's cell DSP Mamata Kalyani," said Anil Kishore Yadav, IG, CID (weaker sections). He added that action will be taken in the light of evidence surfacing during the investigation by the SIT.

The girl has accused Priyadarshi for sexually exploiting her in the name of marriage, running a sex racket, as well as blackmailing and threatening her to stop her from raising her voice. "One day, Priyadarshi took me to a flat in Boring Road area where he gave me a drugged soft-drink. Pandey was also there and sexually assaulted me when I was in a semi-conscious state," she said in an interview to a television news channel on Tuesday.

She has threatened immolation if denied justice. "I have met Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and wrote letters to the President, the Prime Minister and National Commission for Women, but the accused is still on run. No action is being taken by the police as Priyadarshi is a close friend of the son a top Bihar cop," she said.

The anticipatory bail plea of Priyadarshi and two others accused in the case was rejected recently, and a POCSO court hearing the matter sought the case diary from police on Tuesday. The next hearing is on February 27.

Opposition BJP has demanded a judicial probe into the matter as well as immediate arrest of all accused. Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav said the police is doing its job.