HC directs ex-minister to present himself before police

The Jammu and Kashmir High Court today directed former minister Shabir Ahmad Khan to present himself before police in the alleged sexual assault case, but issued directions to the investigating officer to release him on personal bond in case he is arrested.
Passing interim order on the anticipatory bail plea of Khan, Justice Janak Raj Kotwal directed the former minister of State for Health to present himself before the investigating officer tomorrow.
The court also directed the investigating officer to release Khan on personal bond of Rs 25,000 in case he decides to arrest him.
Justice Kotwal, after hearing the counsel for Khan, the victim and the state, reserved order on the anticipatory bail application. It will be pronounced on Monday.

The High Court also set several conditions on Khan which included not to leave Srinagar city without prior permission of the investigating officer.
The former minister, who has been evading arrest since a lady doctor registered a complaint of sexual harassment against him on February six, was directed not to leave the territorial jurisdiction of Jammu and Kashmir before the next date of proceedings on Monday.
A lady doctor had accused Khan of sexual assault inside his office chamber at the Civil Secretariat here on January 28.
Earlier, B S S Lathia, representing Khan, pleaded for anticipatory bail for his client saying he was willing to cooperate with the investigations as the allegation against him was false and frivolous.