Close X
Saturday, November 16, 2024
ADVT 
India

Hry minister Sandeep Singh gets anticipatory bail in sexual harassment case

Darpan News Desk IANS, 15 Sep, 2023 11:10 AM
  • Hry minister Sandeep Singh gets anticipatory bail in sexual harassment case

Chandigarh, Sep 15 (IANS) A Chandigarh court on Friday granted anticipatory bail to Haryana minister Sandeep Singh, who was chargesheeted last month for sexually harassing a woman junior coach.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Rajeev K. Beri allowed the anticipatory bail plea and issued notice to the minister for the hearing on Saturday.

Anticipating the arrest by Chandigarh Police on the day of the hearing, Singh's counsel filed the anticipatory bail application on September 4.

In the petition, Sandeep Singh had expressed apprehension that in the eventuality of his appearance before the trial court on September 16, he will be sent in judicial custody as the offence in question is cognisable and non-bailable.

Opposing the anticipatory bail plea, complainant counsels, Sameer Sethi and Deepanshu Bansal, said Sandeep Singh being a minister was "misusing government machinery to pressurise the victim. If granted relief, he will influence the trial".

Minister Sandeep Singh, a former Indian hockey team captain and a first-time legislator, has had a relationship with her beyond professional interaction, says a 700-page Chandigarh Police charge sheet.

Based on statement of 45 witnesses, the charge sheet notes that the minister could not explain why he would meet the complainant beyond official work hours, including late hours.

In an interview to a YouTube channel and retweeted by Congress leader Kumari Selja, the woman coach accused Sandeep Singh of having attempted to force himself on her on three occasions in 2022.

In her first information report (FIR), she had claimed that Sandeep Singh, then the Sports Minister, had called her in July 2022 and tried to push himself on her.

The police in the charge sheet also said the victim was able to identify the bedroom, side room, bathroom, and all connecting passageways in the official residence of Sandeep Singh.

"This shows the victim had visited the said rooms," said the charge sheet.

The minister had claimed she only came to the main office cabin in his house.

As per the charge sheet, "the CFSL (Central Forensic Science Laboratory) reports regarding the mobile phones of the victim indicate that the accused and victim were in regular touch with each other and their relationship was beyond professional interaction.

"However, the accused during his examination completely denied having any personal relations with her, contrary to the evidence gathered. Some of the witnesses have also mentioned that there was a close relationship between the minister and the victim."

Acting on the complaint, an FIR under Sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354-A (sexual harassment), 354-B (assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe), 342 (wrongful confinement) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was registered last year at the Sector 26 police station here.

MORE India ARTICLES

International syndicate of cyber frauds busted, 4 arrested: Delhi Police

International syndicate of cyber frauds busted, 4 arrested: Delhi Police
The accused have been identified as Amit Kedia (30), resident of SBI Colony near Kalyan Vihar; Sachin Gupta (36), resident of Pitampura; Rohit Jain (36), resident of Shalimar Bagh; and Pradeep Kumar alias Rahul alias Pradhan (34), resident of Model Town-III. 

International syndicate of cyber frauds busted, 4 arrested: Delhi Police

Lakhimpur violence: Court rejects discharge pleas of Ashish Mishra, others

Lakhimpur violence: Court rejects discharge pleas of Ashish Mishra, others
Ashish is the main accused in the incident wherein a vehicle belonging to the Union minister allegedly mowed down four farmers during a protest against the now-repealed agricultural laws. Two BJP workers and a driver were beaten to death, while a local journalist was killed in the violence that ensued.

Lakhimpur violence: Court rejects discharge pleas of Ashish Mishra, others

Punjab to set up 20 dedicated rural industrial hubs

Punjab to set up 20 dedicated rural industrial hubs
Chairing a meeting with industrialists here to solicit their views on draft industrial policy, the Chief Minister said it would serve the twin motives as it would give impetus to industrial development on one hand and open new vistas of employment for rural youth on the other.

Punjab to set up 20 dedicated rural industrial hubs

Three arrested at Mumbai airport for concealing gold in undergarments

Three arrested at Mumbai airport for concealing gold in undergarments
"Three passengers were placed under arrest for carrying 1,872 grams gold dust concealed in specially designed undergarments whereas 2,840 grams was recovered during rummaging the flight's toilet," a Customs official said.

Three arrested at Mumbai airport for concealing gold in undergarments

One person alone cannot do this, there are others involved in scam: Suspended PNB official

One person alone cannot do this, there are others involved in scam: Suspended PNB official
After a preliminary probe by the Crime Branch, the prosecution informed the court that around Rs 21 crores is missing, of which the Corporation alone has lost around Rs 10 crores. The fraud has been detected at the Railway Station Link Road branch of PNB.

One person alone cannot do this, there are others involved in scam: Suspended PNB official

India has emerged as a powerful country in world: PM Modi

India has emerged as a powerful country in world: PM Modi
The All-Party meet on India's G-20 Presidency was a productive one. I thank all leaders who participated in the meeting and shared their insights. This Presidency belongs to the entire nation and will give us the opportunity to showcase our culture.

India has emerged as a powerful country in world: PM Modi