A little known congress minister in Omar’s council of ministers did, what earned him, a public disgrace in a jiffy. A lawmaker from Rajouri, Shabir Khan had to resign from state health ministry after the case of molestation was registered against him by a lady doctor.
Preliminary reports suggest that it all started during Khan’s recent stay in Srinagar. He had called the lady doctor to his retiring room and asked her to prepare the Kehwa. Later, he is accused of making sexual advances towards her.
“She was compelled to visit him in the winter secretariat twice,” one source privy of the complaint said. “The lady doctor has accused the minister of making her sit in the retiring room and not with the people in the office.”
The doctor went to Shaheed Gunj Police Station with the complaint that registered a formal case after due consultation with the high-ups.
Born and brought up in Rajouri’s Manjakote area, Khan belongs to a non-political family. “Look, whatever happened earned a bad name to our place,” one renowned political figure from Rajouri told Kashmir Life on veiled grounds. “His political track record is tainted and laden with controversies.”
A law graduate, Khan was actively associated with social work before coming to politics. He won 2008 Assembly elections from Rajouri on congress ticket.
Soon after the revelation, the social and religious organizations active in Kashmir demanded the sacking of Khan. The doctors association also demanded stern action against what it called “the shameless minister.”
Awami Ittihaad Party (AIP) headed by Er Rasheed demanded stern action against Khan and said that his resignation is not enough. “He should be put behind bars,” Er Rashid said. “The matter should be handed over to some credible agency for investigation.”
Even principal opposition party PDP reacted sharply. “As per the newspaper reports the incident has happened 7 days back,” Mehbooba Mufti said. “Chief Minister as in charge of police owes an explanation about these reports. It seems the govt is still trying to help Khan to save his skin by not arresting him,” Mehbooba said.
However, Police soon issued the statement which said that on Feb 06, one complainant alleged that Khan made provocative advances towards her and tried to molest her on Jan 28, 2014 at Civil Secretariat in a room adjacent to his office chamber.”
The police has lodged a case FIR no. 09 U/S 354, 509 RPC dated 06.02.2014 and investigation has been taken up.
– Bilal Handoo
