Himachal BJP MLA Hans Raj booked under POCSO Act

The Chamba police have booked three-time BJP MLA from Churah, Hans Raj, under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act after a woman lodged a complaint against him at the women police station here. The MLA termed it a conspiracy hatched by his opponents to malign his image.

Last week, the woman went live on Facebook, levelling allegations of sexual exploitation and intimidation against the MLA and his aides. She also claimed to possess evidence supporting her accusations.

Police sources said in her complaint, the victim had alleged that the legislator had been sexually exploiting her since she was 16. A case was registered under Section 6 of the POCSO Act and Section 69 (sexual intercourse by employing deceitful means) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Another FIR was registered at the Tissa police station on Thursday, in which the victim’s father accused the MLA’s aides Lekh Raj and Muniyan Khan of abduction and intimidation.

After registering the case, the police recorded the victim’s statement before a magistrate and conducted her medical examination at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and Hospital, Chamba. 

Chamba Additional Superintendent of Police Hitesh Lakhanpal said the victim had been provided security as she feared for her family’s safety.

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

The MLA termed the renewed allegations a politically motivated conspiracy hatched by his opponents to malign his image and disrupt communal harmony in the Churah constituency by inciting unrest.