Churah MLA gets anticipatory bail in sexual abuse case

The Chamba District and Sessions Court on Thursday granted anticipatory bail to BJP’s Churah MLA Hans Raj in the child sexual abuse case registered against him on the complaint of a woman.

The MLA appeared relieved as the order was pronounced. While exiting the courtroom, he was seen wiping tears overwhelmed as his supporters congratulated him and offered reassurance.

Speaking to the media, Hans Raj said, “I have full faith in the Constitution of India and I knew that justice will be done.”

Later in the afternoon, Hans Raj shared a video on social media showing him welcoming Champa Thakur, a member of the Women’s Kabaddi World Cup champion team, at Koti.

A controversy erupted earlier this month after a woman lodged a complaint accusing the MLA of sexual exploitation and intimidation.

A case under Section 6 of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO), Act along with Section 69 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) was registered against the MLA as the complainant was a minor when she claimed she was first sexually assaulted.

On November 11, the District and Sessions Court, Chamba, had granted interim anticipatory bail to Dr Hans Raj, offering temporary relief while directing him to cooperate with the investigation. The interim bail was extended during the hearing on November 22.

Significantly, the same woman on August 9 last year had lodged a complaint against the MLA, accusing him of sending obscene messages and issuing threats. She later withdrew the allegations, stating that she had acted under mental stress and someone’s influence. However, in her renewed allegations, the woman claimed she was forced to withdraw the previous complaint after being threatened by the MLA and his aides.

Subsequently, the woman’s father filed a complaint at the Tissa Police Station, alleging that Hans Raj’s close aides had abducted him and his daughter and threatened them with dire consequences if they did not withdraw their statements in court.