CCTV footage recovered from a Powai residential complex shows that, prima facie, Jet Airways pilot Vinay Sharma, who was accused by a distant relative of molestation in an FIR registered with the local police, had not touched the woman complainant. Last week, the police had registered an FIR against Mr Sharma under Sections 504 (intentional insult to breach peace), 506 (criminal intimidation), and 509 (insulting the modesty of a woman).
On Saturday and Sunday, Mr. Sharma's family and friends backed him by sending the CCTV footage to Powai police ( The Hindu is in possession of the video). The video shows Mr. Sharma entering the building and raising his hand as if to wave to someone in the distance (those people are not seen in the first frame). He then proceeds to walk towards the building elevator. There is no else seen in the final frame, either. Powai police confirmed to The Hindu that they have received the CCTV video, and will investigate the alleged victim's claims based on the video. The Hindu independently verified with the police and found that there is no evidence of molestation as mentioned in an earlier news report.
When contacted, Mr. Sharma's family denied the victim's version of the event and the police statements on Saturday, after The Hindu 's report on the alleged harassment. "There was no molestation as The Hindu had reported. There is a bitter family dispute over a matrimonial matter from Vinay's side of the family," a family member told The Hindu . "We are being harassed for no fault of ours only because Vinay is a distant relative of the persons involved in the matrimonial dispute. All that Vinay was doing is returning from his gym workout. He is a reputed airline pilot. We are shocked beyond measure that someone would allege all these things against him."
The family member added: "Vinay just gestured with his hand in the air to avoid the woman who has been harassing him and his wife for a while. The female relative then told the police that Vinay raised his hand on her. Nowhere in the CCTV footage is the woman even in the frame. How can she claim that she was intimidated or assaulted?"
The alleged victim had also claimed that some National Security Guard (NSG) commandos had threatened her into withdrawing the complaint. The family member claimed that "this is completely false". The member told The Hindu : "The NSG commandos who came to the police station are our friends. They had come to support us, and talk it out with the complainants. They did not threaten anyone."
Victim's statement (updated on Dec 12, 2020)
"The accused and his family have suppressed material facts and tried to mislead the investigation as well as impede due process of law. They have given a concocted story devoid of merits. It is a fact that me and my family have been threatened by accused and his family that we could be killed using their NSG commando friends. The NSG commandos came to police station in uniform and plain clothes in official vehicle of NSG at the behest of the accused where I was threatened even in police station. It is also a fact that vital police documents related to this case have gone missing from Powai Police Station after arrival of NSG Commandos. As per reply received from Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi the NSG Commando who came in uniform has been repatriated to his parent organisation following my complaint. Further, due to the constant threats to me and my family's life by the accused and his family members they have been warned by Mumbai Police as per relevant provisions of CRPC. The said FIR is still under investigation at Crime Against Women Cell of Mumbai Police. I reserve my further comments so as not to interfere with investigation of the said FIR," says the victim.
