The chargesheet was submitted following an investigation by the Women Police Station in Chamba, where the case was registered on November 7 last year based on a complaint by a young woman from the Churah area. The complainant alleged that she was sexually exploited while she was a minor, claiming that the accused lured and manipulated her over a period of time. Acting on the complaint, police invoked relevant provisions of the POCSO Act.
Hansraj, who has denied the allegations, appeared before the court on Wednesday and furnished a personal bond (mucchalka), assuring the judge that he would be present at all hearings as directed. With the filing of the chargesheet, the matter has formally entered the judicial trial process.
Earlier, anticipating arrest after the case was registered, the MLA had approached the court seeking anticipatory bail on November 10. The court granted interim anticipatory bail a day later, allowing the police to continue the investigation without taking him into custody. The interim protection remained in force until November 22, during which the investigating agency recorded statements and collected evidence.
After hearing arguments from both the prosecution and the defence, the court reserved its order and subsequently, on November 27, converted the interim relief into regular bail. The court noted that the investigation was ongoing and imposed conditions requiring the accused to cooperate with the probe and comply with all legal requirements.
Superintendent of Police, Chamba, Vijay Kumar Saklani said the investigation was conducted in a fair and impartial manner, strictly in accordance with the law. He confirmed that all procedural steps were completed within the mandated timeframe and that the police had placed the findings before the court for judicial scrutiny.
With the trial set to begin in early March, the case is expected to be closely watched, given the involvement of a sitting legislator and the serious nature of the allegations. Further proceedings will now unfold under the supervision of the court.
