Lucknow, May 22 (UNI) The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court as an interim measure has stayed the criminal case proceedings pending against Congress MP Rakesh Rathore, who was arrested on charges of sexual exploitation.

The court stayed the entire proceedings of the case till next date of its listing and directed to list this case in the week commencing July 28.

Justice Subhash Vidyarthi passed the order on May 20 after hearing on Rathore's revision plea challenging the trial court's order dated May 5 rejecting his discharge application.

The court also stayed the May 5 order till the next date of listing the case.

The court observed, "I am of the view that a case for grant of interim relief is made out and the proceedings of the trial court deserves to be stayed."

Parties' counsel raised their arguments before the court. The petitioner's counsel submitted that

after completing investigation of the case, a charge sheet has been filed before the trial court.

Then, the trial court framed the charges on Rathore on May 16.

Referring to the rulings, the counsel contended that the alleged charges were not made out against accused Rathore. Hence, the order of framing the charges against him was not as per the law and liable to be quashed. On the other hand, the revision plea was opposed by the state counsel.

Congress MP from Sitapur in Uttar Pradesh, Rathore was arrested on January 30 this year after being on the run since January 17, when an FIR of rape was filed against him. The arrest took place during a press conference at his residence. Rathore is now out on bail.

On January 15, a 49-year-old married woman filed a complaint against Rathore, alleging that he had sexually exploited her for four years.

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