Shabir Khan talks to media persons in Srinagar
Minutes before sunset in Srinagar today, "absconding" Congress leader and former Jammu and Kashmir Health Minister Shabir Khan appeared before cops at the Shaheed Ganj police station. Mr Khan, who is facing charges of molesting a woman doctor, was accompanied by a battery of lawyers and was let off after a very brief stay at the police station.
Since the last one week, police had claimed that Mr Khan was absconding and was untraceable despite multiple raids in Jammu. He was booked under Section 509 RPC, (Kashmir's own panel code) a non-bailable offense. But yesterday, the High Court asked the police to release Mr Khan on a personal surety bond once he presents himself before the police.
The high court will give a final decision on his bail application on Tuesday.
Today morning, Mr Khan reached Srinagar, but instead of the police station, he arrived at the state guest house and stayed there through the day. The accused was enjoying all the official privileges including security and official car.
The police had earlier claimed that they had withdrawn Mr Khan's security after he went missing and evaded arrest. Ironically, the former minister chose to stay at the same guest house where he had allegedly asked the woman doctor to meet him and serve him with Kehwa (Kashmiri tea).
Police sources say Mr Khan denied allegations of sexual assault on the woman doctor.
Mr Khan was forced to resign as the health minister by the Congress high command after public outrage and protests by the BJP.
Sources say the powerful Congress leader was insisting that the police come to the guest house rather than him going to the police station as per court directions. But when the police didn't turn up at the guest house till evening, he reluctantly visited the police station.
An FIR was filed against Mr Khan after a woman doctor complained that she was compelled by the personal staff of the health minister to visit his office. And when visited, she was made to sit in small cabin where Mr Khan allegedly made both verbal and physical sexual advances.
The victim has alleged collusion between the prosecution and the accused. She alleges that the police gave Mr Khan a free hand to evade arrest for one week.
Speaking to the media, Mr Khan claimed that the allegations against him are a part of political conspiracy. He said he is innocent and that the judiciary will give him justice.