news details |
|
|
| Molestation case: Shabir Khan appears before CJM | | Directed to file objection to victim's application | | Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, May 6: Minister of State for Health and senior Congress leader Shabir Ahmad Khan appeared before a local court here in connection with a molestation case filed against him by a lady doctor in February this year.
Khan, sitting MLA from Rajouri, has been charged under sections of 354 RPC (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 509 RPC (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman).
The charge sheet was filed before Chief Judicial Magistrate Srinagar V S Bhou on April 3 by police in Khan's absence following which the court had summoned him today (May 6).
As the case came up before the CJM, Khan along with his counsel appeared before it with an application against Investigation Officer for filing the charge-sheet in his absence. Khan said that he was not informed by the police when challan was filed against him.
The CJM disposed of the application, observing that "since law permits for presentation of challan in absence of accused and also accused does not want to contest the petition. Application is disposed of and same be made part of the main case file."
Meanwhile, the court directed Shabir Khan and prosecution to file objections to an application filed by victim through her counsel for staying proceedings pending outcome of a Special Leave Petition (SLP) at Supreme Court of India. On March 3, the apex court issued notice to Khan and state Government on the SLP filed by the victim doctor.
The lady doctor had accused Khan of sexual harassment at winter secretariat in February this year.
In her complaint, the doctor claimed that the Minister called her to his office on January 28 and tried to outrage her modesty.
On February 18, J&K High Court allowed an application filed by the former Minister, seeking anticipatory bail in the alleged case of molestation attempt on the lady doctor here.
The CJM had issued the arrested warrant after against Khan in terms of section 25 of Police Act on the grounds that his arrest has become imperative for concluding the investigation in the FIR 09/2014 under provisions of Sections 354 and 509 of the RPC.
After High Court granted bail to him, Khan had appeared before the Investigation Officer and after about an hour investigation, he was released on bail and later allowed to join assembly, then in budget session. He was charged by the police on April 3. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
