The Himachal Pradesh High Court on Monday granted interim protection from arrest to a Himachal Pradesh Administrative Services (HPAS) officer posted in Una in connection with a rape case lodged against him on allegations of sexual intercourse on the pretext of marriage.
Justice Rakesh Kainthla passed the order after the complainant woman appeared in court and stated that a compromise had been reached between her and the officer. She informed the bench that both parties had agreed to get married soon.
Granting interim relief, the court protected the officer from arrest till October 16. It directed him to appear before the investigating agency and fully cooperate with the police probe. Advocate Hirdaya Ram, representing the accused officer, confirmed that the officer would join the investigation as directed by the court.
On October 3, the woman had submitted a compromise deed before the high court. Following this, the court had directed her to appear in person and scheduled the hearing on the officer’s anticipatory bail plea for October 6.
Earlier, based on the woman’s complaint, a case was registered against the officer under Sections 69 (sexual intercourse by deceitful means) and 351 (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
