Interim anticipatory bail granted to Churah MLA in sexual abuse case

In a temporary relief to BJP’s Churah MLA Dr Hans Raj, the District and Sessions Court, Chamba, on Tuesday granted him interim anticipatory bail in the sexual abuse case.

A woman had filed a complaint at the Women’s Police Station, Chamba, on November 7, accusing the legislator of sexually assaulting her when she was a minor. She alleged that Hans Raj had been sexually exploiting her ever since. Following the complaint, the MLA was booked under Section 69 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, which deals with aggravated sexual assault on minors.

Hans Raj had filed the anticipatory bail application on Monday, after which the court sought a reply from the state. The court, however, has directed the MLA to cooperate in the ongoing investigation. The matter remains under judicial consideration and the final decision on his bail plea will be announced on November 22.

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 mental stress and someone’s influence.

However, in fresh 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.

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

However, soon after the court granted interim anticipatory bail, Hans Raj became active on social media and posted “Jai Bhole Nath” on his Facebook page, marking his first public online appearance after several days of silence.