Dubai: Indian actor Shiney Ahuja has been sentenced to a minimum of seven years in prison by a Mumbai court for raping his domestic help.
The actor broke down in court after the verdict was being read out, India media reported.
Ahuja, who made his Bollywood debut in 2004's critically acclaimed Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, was arrested in Mumbai in June 2009 after the maid, inconsistently reported to be between 18 to 20 years old, accused him of raping her. The actor, 37, was released on bail four months later.
A DNA test later confirmed by investigators showed that the report supported the allegations.
However, Ahuja and his wife have fiercely rejected the claim. She maintained after the conviction that he was innocent.
The actor has been charged for rape, criminal intimidation and wrongful confinement.
