The Supreme Court on Saturday listed the matter related to a rape complaint filed by a woman against BJP leader and former Union minister Shahnawaz Hussain to October 12, after the survivor said she needed time to bring on record certain documents from the trial court.
The Bench of Chief Justice Uday Umesh Lalit and Justice S. Ravindra Bhat passed the orders after the Counsel for the survivor claimed that he needed time to bring before the court some ‘material facts’ relating to the alleged offence, which have been concealed by Shahnawaz’s Counsel.
Advocate Sandeep Kumar Singh represented the woman, while Senior Advocates Mukul Rohatgi and Siddharth Luthra appeared on behalf of the former minister in Bihar Cabinet.
On September 19, the Apex Court had deferred hearing on the appeal filed by Hussain, challenging the Delhi High Court verdict against him.
The High Court had dismissed Hussain’s plea on August 17, which challenged a trial court order. observed that there was no perversity in the 2018 order and vacated its earlier interim order.
While issuing notices to Delhi Police and the complainant woman on petition by Hussain, the top court of the country had observed that after hearing the submissions of Mukul Rohatgi, it was of the prima facie view that this matter required consideration.
However on August 22, the Apex Court set aside the High Court order.
While issuing notices to Delhi Police and the complainant woman on petition by Hussain, the top court of the country had observed that after hearing the submissions of Mukul Rohatgi, it was of the prima facie view that this matter required consideration.
The Delhi-based survivor had approached a lower court in 2018, seeking registration of an FIR against Hussain for alleged rape. The BJP leader had denied the allegations.
On July 7, 2018, a magisterial court had ordered registration of FIR against Hussain, stating that a cognisable offence was made out in the complaint. This was challenged by the BJP leader before a sessions court, which dismissed his plea.