Javed Khan, chief executive of Victim Support, has taken a leave of absence following allegations that he was involved in an armed dispute in Pakistan, the charity has confirmed.

A spokeswoman for the charity said on Friday that Khan is “spending some time away from the office to address his personal affairs” but that she was unable to give further details.

She said Victim Support has commissioned an independent investigation into allegations, made last week in the Mail on Sunday, that Khan had been involved in a dispute over property in Kashmir in which shots had been fired in the air.

Khan has since issued a statement describing the allegations as “either false or a gross distortion of the truth”.

The spokeswoman said the organisation was also looking into a document being circulated on social media which is purported to be a summons requiring Khan or his counsel to appear before a Pakistani court.

“We are aware of this document and it is subject to an independent investigation,” she said. “A report will be sent to the trustees in due course.”

Khan is due to join Barnardo's as its new CEO in April.

It said in a statement: "We are aware of these reports and are in contact with Victim Support about it.  We do not have any further comment to make at this time.”