Court grants interim anticipatory bail till November 22
TNR News Network
Chamba:
In a major relief for Himachal Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Churah constituency in Chamba district, Hans Raj, a local court has granted him interim anticipatory bail in connection with a case involving a Muslim woman who has accused him of sexual exploitation.
The court’s decision protects the legislator from immediate arrest until November 22, provided he cooperates with the ongoing police investigation.
According to reports, Hans Raj had approached the Chamba District and Sessions Court earlier this week seeking protection from arrest after an FIR was filed against him. His counsel, advocate Ankush Gupta, confirmed that the court approved interim anticipatory bail till November 22. The court also directed the MLA to extend full cooperation to the investigating authorities.
The plea was heard after the state government submitted its reply to the court, following which the judge granted temporary relief to the BJP leader.
Fresh FIR registered under POCSO Act
The case took a new turn when the complainant, a Muslim woman, filed a fresh complaint in Chamba, prompting the police to register a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. It has been alleged that the woman was under 18 years of age at the time of the incident.
Investigators have since visited the government rest house in Chamba, where the MLA allegedly called the complainant. In addition to Hans Raj, his personal assistant and another individual have also been named in the FIR, bringing the total number of cases related to this controversy to three.
Hans Raj alleges political vendetta
Denying the charges, MLA Hans Raj described the allegations as part of a political conspiracy aimed at defaming him and creating communal tension in the area. He asserted his innocence and pledged full cooperation with the ongoing probe.
Meanwhile, the police continue to gather evidence in the case. The matter is expected to come up for further hearing later this month, when the interim bail order is set to be reviewed.
