Shakeel Noorani arrested over alleged rape and sexual assault

Bollywood filmmaker Shakeel Noorani, 73, has been arrested by the Malvani Police following allegations of rape, sexual assault, and blackmail filed by a 33-year-old actress. Noorani, known for directing films such as 'Joru Ka Ghulam' and 'Bade Dil Wala', was reportedly tracked to a farmhouse in Mahabaleshwar after allegedly going into hiding following the registration of a First Information Report (FIR).

The complainant alleges that the encounters began after they met at an awards function in 2016. She claims that during a meeting at Noorani's residence intended for script reading, he administered a drink that caused her to lose consciousness. She further alleges that he used an intimate video recorded on his phone to blackmail and repeatedly assault her over a period of years. The complainant also alleged that Noorani provided her with contraceptive pills following these encounters.

Noorani has been booked under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including sections 64(2)(M), 123, 351(2), and 88. Following his production before the Borivali Holiday Court, he was remanded to police custody until August 12 to allow investigators to recover evidence, including the purported video.

Defense counsel Vikas Singh Goar has denied the allegations, stating that the filmmaker has been falsely implicated and remains presumed innocent.