Jorhat, April 22: Former minister and AGP leader Dulal Baruah today became embroiled in a scandal after the wife of his former driver accused the veteran politician of assaulting and molesting her.

Jorhat police have registered a case under Sections 342, 354, 325 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code.

District superintendent of police Surendra Kumar said the police have launched an investigation to ascertain the veracity of the allegations.

?We will have to arrest him if we find prima facie evidence against Baruah,? Kumar said.

Baruah, however, denied the charges. ?I have nothing to say. Nothing has happened,? he said, when contacted.

A police source said a medical examination was conducted on the woman, who had several injury marks on her body.

The woman, identified as Lipi Borgohain, lodged a complaint at Pulibor police station here, accusing the septuagenarian leader of assaulting her at his Sonarigaon residence today.

Lipi, who has a child, also alleged sexual overtures by Baruah.

Lipi and her husband, Ajoy Borgohain, were staying at Baruah?s residence for over six months.

They left on March 13 after she complained to her husband that the politician was making ?sexual advances? to her in Ajoy?s absence. Baruah lives alone at his Sonarigaon residence.

Lipi had come to Baruah?s residence today to collect a few things that the family had left behind when they left Baruah?s residence last month.

Baruah allegedly confined Lipi inside a room and beat her up. She managed to escape and ran to a neighbour?s house. Later Lipi lodged a complaint with the police.

Baruah allegedly pelted stones at two photojournalists who rushed to his Sonarigaon residence after a police team reached there.

?He started shouting at us and pelted stones,? one of the photojournalists alleged.

Baruah was the PWD minister in the Golap Baurah-led Janata Party government in Assam.

He later shifted to the BJP and then joined the AGP prior to the Assembly elections in 2001.