S Sabaqat
SRINAGAR, Aug 5: Minister of State for Health and senior Congress leader Shabir Ahmad Khan was exempted by a local court here from attending today's hearing 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 by police under sections 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 chargesheet was filed before Chief Judicial Magistrate Srinagar V S Bhou on April 3.
As the case came up before the CJM, counsel for Khan appeared before it with an application seeking exemption from today's hearing. While allowing his instant application, the court directed Khan to be present on next date of hearing. 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 case.
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. |
