CBI raids several places to track Anil Sethi

Srinagar, Jun 15 (UNI) A massive hunt has been launched and several places raided in Jammu and Kashmir to track former state Additional Advocate General Anil Sethi wanted for his alleged involvement in the sex scandal that has rocked the Valley in the recent past.

Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Srinagar Mohammad Yousuf Akhoon has given Sethi time till July 16 to appear before the court and in case he failed to do so, his property would be seized.

Official sources said today the raids were conducted after he was declared a proclaimed offender by a local court here yesterday for his failure to appear before the CBI for questioning into the case.

They said the CBI conducted raids at several places in both Jammu and Srinagar to trace the absconding lawyer for his alleged involvement in the sex racket.

The sources said the premier investigating agency might raid several places in Delhi also.

In the proclamation, the CJM said Sethi has committed offences punishable under Sections 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act and Sections 376, 292 and 34 of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC).

He said a non-bailable warrant was issued by the court against Sethi on June five. ''It has been shown to my satisfaction that Sethi is concealing himself to avoid the service of the warrant,'' the Judge added.

''Proclamation is made at Anil Sethi and he is required to appear at Srinagar before the court to answer the complaint till July 16,'' the CJM said in the notice.

The proclamation notice was issued against him following a request by the CBI.

Sethi was named by a teenaged victim of the sex racket as one of those who had allegedly raped her.

The sources said the CBI had sought his appearance for conducting an identification parade before the teenager and also started collecting information about his properties.

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