World | India
Actor to be tried in fast-track court
Women's commission says medical reports prove maid's rape.
- IANS
- Published: 23:39 June 19, 2009
- Image Credit: Gulf News Archive
- Bollywood actor Shiney Ahuja's teenaged domestic help on Sunday lodged a complaint with police that he had raped her.
Mumbai: The rape case against Bollywood actor Shiney Ahuja will be tried in a fast-track court, Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan said in Mumbai on Friday, while the National Commission of Women (NCW) said that medical reports proved rape.
Chavan said the formalities to transfer the case to a fast-track court would be completed soon.
"As per the state government's policy in such matters, we shall provide full financial assistance and all other support to enable the victim rehabilitate herself," the chief minister said.
The actor's teenaged domestic help on Sunday lodged a complaint with police that he had raped her. He was arrested and at the end of police custody on Thursday was sent to judicial custody till July 2.
Ahuja is now lodged in the Arthur Road Jail in south Mumbai.
A three-member NCW team met the victim, the actor's wife Anupam, who has strongly defended him, police and investigating officials and senior state government officials, commission chairperson Girija Vyas told reporters.
"Medical evidences and other records we have seen confirm that the victim has been raped. Now, the law will take its own course," she said.
Vyas, who earlier yesterday demanded that the case be transferred to a fast-track court, said that even Chief Minister Chavan had expressed his concern over the issue, especially since it involved a prominent Bollywood personality.
Vyas said that transferring the case to a fast-track court was necessary in the interest of quick justice to both parties.
"Moreover, in such cases, prolonged trial could lead to the victim and witnesses being influenced or pressurised," Vyas pointed out.
She said that if quick justice can be rendered through a fast-track court, it would be good for the victim and also for the accused if he is proved innocent.
The victim's parents, who live in Kokbaan village in neighbouring Raigad district, arrived in the city last morning and met the NCW team in south Mumbai.
Ahuja has been booked under Indian Penal Code sections 376 (rape), 346 (wrongful restraint) and 506 (threat to kill), among others.
The 35-year-old actor has starred in movies like Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, Gangster, Karam, Woh Lamhe, Fanaa, Hijack, Life In A Metro, and Bhool Bhulaiyya among others.
Your comments
Mr.Ahuja, though a handsome and good actor, if proved a criminal, must be sentenced according to the law of the country like any other Indian citizen. Hence it will be a lesson for all other celebrities who may try to take advantage of the lesser fortunate people.
Agniyah Shaikh
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: June 20, 2009, 13:29
NEVER TRUST ANY ONE BY FACE !
Arthi
DXB,UAE
Posted: June 20, 2009, 12:58
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