Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 6: Senior Congress leader and former Health Minister Shabir Ahmad Khan, facing charges of sexual assault on a lady doctor today appeared before the Chief Judicial Magistrate Srinagar.
The CJM, Srinagar, V S Bhou, had last month sought Khan’s appearance before the court after he failed to appear before his court when police filed charge sheet against him. Khan’s counsel Advocate Mohammad Abdullah Pandith, however, told the CJM that Khan was not informed by the Police to be present before the court when they filed charge sheet against him. The charge sheet was filed in his absence. The Counsel also sought a copy of the charge sheet.
On April 3, the CJM Srinagar had issued notices to Deputy Inspector General (DIGs) of Jammu and Rajouri-Poonch to cause appearance of Khan, after police filed charge sheet against him for his alleged involvement in outraging modesty of the lady doctor.
The former Minister appeared before the CJM Srinagar wherein he was asked to file response to an application filed by the lady doctor seeking stay on the proceedings till the Supreme Court decides an appeal filed by her against bail order of Jammu and Kashmir High Court.
On February 8, the CJM Srinagar had issued a non bail able arrest warrant against Khan, for allegedly molesting a lady doctor. Police station Shaheed Gunj had registered FIR against Khan bearing number 9 of 2014 under Sections 354/509 RPC.
The former Minister was evading arrest initially and had filed a bail application before the High Court. A day after the High Court granted him relief, Khan appeared before Police Station Shaheed Ganj on February 13.
High Court had asked the police to release Khan on a personal surety bond once he presents himself before the police. He furnished a personal bond of Rs 25,000, and police let him off.
The lady doctor challenged the High Court order of granting bail to Khan in the Supreme Court. The SC issued notice to Khan, however, no orders have been passed yet.
The counsel for lady doctor, Advocate Rafiq Ahmad Joo, filed an application before the CJM, Srinagar, seeking stopping of proceedings in the lower court till the outcome of her petition filed before the SC against HC order.
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