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Issuing a “process” against Bollywood director Madhur Bhandarkar in connection with a rape case filed against by an upcoming actress Preeti Jain, a city court on Monday asked him either personally appear before it or make a written submission on October 18.
Preeti’s lawyer Sushan Kunjuraman said that after finding a prima facie case of rape and criminal intimidation had indeed been made out against Bhandarkar, an Andheri court had issued process against the accused in the case.
Preeti charged in her complaint filed in 2004 against Bhandarkar that the filmmaker, known for neo-urban realistic films like Chandini Bar, Page 3, Fashion, Corporate, Jail and others, with rape.
She had alleged in her in complaint that the film maker had duped her into having sexual relations director under the pretext of friendship and offering film roles.
Rape is usually defined as coercion and forcible sex. “However, in this case it is rape by cheating a person. Whether the complainant or plaintiff had a friendship or were lovers is not the moot point. The point is that it a hidden coercion was used to gain sexual relationship,” Kunjuraman said.
“Any sexual favour gained through cheating and deceit construes as rape. Thus the Court after studying the FIR made him an accused and issued a ‘Process,’ against him. In simpler words ‘Process,’ is a ‘summons,’ issued in a criminal case against an accused.” Kunjuraman added.
Notwithstanding the issuance of process against him, Bhandarkar can apply for an anticipatory bail in the city Sessions Court.
On his part, Bhandarkar said in a release issued after the court issued a process against him: “As the lower court has issued a process against me on Monday for a case which has been going on for 7 years, I would like to state here after reading the judgment that we will challenge this order in higher courts and seek justice”..
Apart from rape, Bhandarkar faces the charge of criminal intimidation— that issuing threats to Preeti.
Preeti had created a sensation in 2004, by charging Bhandarkar with indulging in the much-talked syndrome of “casting couch” - that of film makers seeking sexual favours from aspiring actresses in return to roles in their films—prevailing in Bollywood.
In her complaint lodged with the Versova Police Station in north-west Mumbai, Preeti had alleged that between 1999 and 2004, she had been raped 16 times by Bhandarkar, each time promising her a film role.
In 2009, Preeti made her complaint before the Andheri Metropolitan Magistrate Court following which investigating officials submitted that there was no evidence of rape against the director.
The trial was stayed. “However, when my client moved her plea once more, the court revived the FIR this time around, as it felt the charges and allegations have traces of substantive evidences indicating rape,” Kunjuraman said.
Preeti’s lawyer Sushan Kunjuraman said that after finding a prima facie case of rape and criminal intimidation had indeed been made out against Bhandarkar, an Andheri court had issued process against the accused in the case.
Preeti charged in her complaint filed in 2004 against Bhandarkar that the filmmaker, known for neo-urban realistic films like Chandini Bar, Page 3, Fashion, Corporate, Jail and others, with rape.
She had alleged in her in complaint that the film maker had duped her into having sexual relations director under the pretext of friendship and offering film roles.
Rape is usually defined as coercion and forcible sex. “However, in this case it is rape by cheating a person. Whether the complainant or plaintiff had a friendship or were lovers is not the moot point. The point is that it a hidden coercion was used to gain sexual relationship,” Kunjuraman said.
“Any sexual favour gained through cheating and deceit construes as rape. Thus the Court after studying the FIR made him an accused and issued a ‘Process,’ against him. In simpler words ‘Process,’ is a ‘summons,’ issued in a criminal case against an accused.” Kunjuraman added.
Notwithstanding the issuance of process against him, Bhandarkar can apply for an anticipatory bail in the city Sessions Court.
On his part, Bhandarkar said in a release issued after the court issued a process against him: “As the lower court has issued a process against me on Monday for a case which has been going on for 7 years, I would like to state here after reading the judgment that we will challenge this order in higher courts and seek justice”..
Apart from rape, Bhandarkar faces the charge of criminal intimidation— that issuing threats to Preeti.
Preeti had created a sensation in 2004, by charging Bhandarkar with indulging in the much-talked syndrome of “casting couch” - that of film makers seeking sexual favours from aspiring actresses in return to roles in their films—prevailing in Bollywood.
In her complaint lodged with the Versova Police Station in north-west Mumbai, Preeti had alleged that between 1999 and 2004, she had been raped 16 times by Bhandarkar, each time promising her a film role.
In 2009, Preeti made her complaint before the Andheri Metropolitan Magistrate Court following which investigating officials submitted that there was no evidence of rape against the director.
The trial was stayed. “However, when my client moved her plea once more, the court revived the FIR this time around, as it felt the charges and allegations have traces of substantive evidences indicating rape,” Kunjuraman said.
