Cong Minister turns ‘sinister’ molests doctor

Cong Minister turns ‘sinister’ molests doctor

 

 Resigns, Court rejects interim bail

Srinagar, Feb 7: Minister of State for Health, and senior Congress leader Shabir Ahmed Khan on Friday resigned from the ministry after being accused by a woman doctor of sexual assault.

“I have received the resignation of the Minister of State for Health Shabir Khan and am forwarding the same to the Governor for acceptance,” Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah wrote on a micro-blogging site Twitter.

A Raj Bhawan spokesman said that Governor N N Vohra has accepted the resignation of the minister. “The letter of resignation of Shabir Ahmad Khan, Minister of State, recommended and forwarded by Chief Minister   Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister has been accepted with immediate effect by the Governor,” he added.

While giving the details a police spokesman said: “On February 6, at about 1300 hours one complainant visited Police Station Shaheed Gunj and handed over a written complaint addressed to SHO Shaheed Gunj wherein it was alleged by the complainant that Shabir Ahmad Khan Minister of State for Health made provocative advances towards her and tried to molest her on January 28, 2014 at Civil Secretariat in a room adjacent to his office chamber.”

“On this Police lodged a case FIR no. 09 U/S 354, 509 RPC dated Feb 6, 2014 and investigation has been taken up,” the spokesman added.

Sources said a lady doctor has alleged that Khan attempted to sexually assault her when she met him at his office on Jan 28, 2013. They also revealed that victim in her complaint had alleged that she received repeated calls from Minister’s office asking her to visit his office immediately as minister wanted to know about the announcements made by Union  Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad during his visit to the Pampore hospital where she works. Despite her requests that Minister should obtain the information from senior officials, the doctor alleged, she was compelled to report at his  office on January 28, 2014.

Based on the complaint , Police registered a  First Information Report against the minister at the Shaheed Gunj police station on Thursday.

Court rejects bail

Shabir Khan’s counsel on Friday moved an interim bail application in Jammu High Court and pleaded before the court that his client be allowed to take legal recourse in Jammu instead of Srinagar.

The Court however turned down the request, saying “no compelling circumstances are made out.”

Khan will have to now move a bail application before a trial court or High Court in Srinagar where FIR has been lodged.

If proved guilty, Khan can face imprisonment up to two years.

 

Surrender or face arrest: Police to Cong leader

Srinagar, Feb 7: Police have directed senior Congress leader and former MoS health Shabir Ahmad Khan, booked on the molestation charges, to appear at Police Station Shaheed Gunj on Saturday.

A top police official while talking to Precious Kashmir said: “Khan has been asked to surrender at Police Station Shaheed Gunj, where FIR stands registered against him. If he fails to do so, law will take its course and he would be arrested.”

Police on Thursday registered an FIR (09/2014) under RPC sections of 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman).