M A I N   N E W S

Shabir surrenders in Srinagar, gets bail
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, February 13
Former Minister of State (MoS) for Health Shabir Ahmad Khan, who resigned last week following a case of molestation against him filed by a doctor, presented himself before the police in the city here today and was granted bail. Khan surrendered at Shaheed Gunj police station around 5 pm, sources said. “He surrendered and then he was granted bail,” sources said.

I am innocent: Khan "This is a conspiracy. Wrong and baseless allegations have been levelled against me. My political career has been spoiled. I am innocent and I am sure I will get justice from the court." - Shabir Ahmad Khan, former Minister of State for Health

The high court had yesterday granted him an interim bail and directed him to present himself before police investigators.

Khan also recorded his statement before the investigating officer at the police station, where he stayed for nearly one hour. the sources said. Khan resigned last week following allegations of molestation levelled by the doctor, who claimed that the minister acted like a “sexual predator” at the winter secretariat, where she was called for an official meeting.

The former minister has been booked under sections 354 and 509 of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC). Section 354 deals with assault or use of force against a woman with an intention to outrage her modesty, while Section 509 deals with words, gestures or acts intended to insult a woman.

Khan had been evading arrest ever since the case was filed on February 6. He had filed a bail application at Jammu high court and later in the high court in Srinagar.

The former minister’s arrival in the city here ended a three-day manhunt launched by a special team of the state police, which had been dispatched to the Jammu region to locate the minister.

The state police have remained tight-lipped about the case making only a brief statement on the first day about registration of the case against the minister.

The sources said a police team led by a DSP had searched several locations in the Jammu region but were unsuccessful in tracing the former minister.

Speaking after his arrival here, Khan pleaded that he was innocent and was not evading arrest. “This is a conspiracy against me. Wrong and baseless allegations have been levelled against me. My political career has been spoiled. I am innocent and I am sure I will get justice from the court,” Khan told reporters.