Churah MLA Hans Raj joins probe in sexual abuse case

After remaining untraceable for nearly a week, Churah MLA Dr Hans Raj on Thursday appeared before the police and joined the investigation in the sexual abuse case against him. Additional Superintendent of Police Hitesh Lakhanpal confirmed that legislator's medical examination was conducted at Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru Government Medical College, Chamba, following which he was questioned by the investigating team. "We will summon him again for questioning soon," said Lakhanpal.

A controversy erupted earlier this month after a woman lodged a complaint accusing the MLA of sexually exploiting and intimidating her. A case was registered under Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and Section 69 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) on November 7.

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

The controversy erupted earlier this month when the complainant went live on Facebook, publicly accusing the MLA of sexual abuse and intimidation. On August 9 last year, the same woman 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 stress and someone's influence.

However, in her allegations made again, the woman claimed that 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.

The MLA had been untraceable ever since the case was registered against him and did not join the interrogation despite a police notice.