Actor Aditya Pancholi was on Thursday booked by the Versova police after a rape complaint was filed against him by a Bollywood actor.
According to the police, the actor recorded her statement on Thursday afternoon.
“We have registered an offence of rape, wrongful restraint, assault and criminal intimidation under the Indian Penal Code,” Mumbai Police spokesperson DCP Manjunath Singe said.
The actor has in the past made statements alleging that she was in relationship with Mr. Pancholi between 2005 and 2008, and that he abused and exploited her. The allegations range from keeping her under house arrest to physically abusing her.
“We have recorded a detailed statement from the victim. As the alleged offence occurred several years ago, we will have to visit the locations named by the victim and get in touch with those she has named,” an officer with the Versova police station said and added that Mr. Pancholi had not yet been summoned.
“We will decide on the further course of action once preliminary inquiries are over,” the officer said.
The actor, in her complaint, has also alleged that Mr. Pancholi had intercourse with her against her wishes by giving her intoxicants and that he took pictures of the act without her knowledge, which he later used to blackmail her into submission and extort ₹50 lakh from her, sources said.
“Based on her statement, we have also added sections for causing harm by poisonous substance and extortion to the complaint,” an officer said.
In the past, Mr. Pancholi as well as his wife, Zarina Wahab, also an actor, have publicly denied the allegations of abuse by the actor. The couple also filed defamation cases and the court has summoned the victim and her sister in connection with the cases.
