Noted south Indian cinema choreographer Jani Master was arrested on Thursday for sexually assaulting a woman who worked with him, police said. Jani Master, whose real name is Shaik Jani Basha, was apprehended in Goa by the Cyberabad police. He has worked in a number of Telugu and Tamil movies.
He was produced before a local court in Goa and a transit warrant was obtained. He was being brought here and will be produced before a regular court, a police release said. It said, based on the woman’s complaint, Zero FIR was registered in Raidurgam Police Station, Cyberabad. A Zero FIR is filed irrespective of the place of offense.
On September 15, the Narsingi Police re-registered a case under sections 376(2)(n), 506, 323 of IPC, the release said. The complainant alleged that Jani Master had sexually assaulted her in 2020 during a work trip to Mumbai and continued sexual harassment and also threatened her not to disclose it to anyone.
On recording her statement, it was disclosed that she was a minor at the time of the alleged offense. Therefore, a relevant section of the POCSO Act, 2012 was added, the release said. Meanwhile, a panel formed by the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce has also launched a probe into allegations of sexual harassment against Jani Master. Tammareddy Bharadwaj, a member of the committee, has said the panel will have to submit a report on the issue within 90 days from the date of receiving the complaint from the victim.
Damodar Prasad, head of the sexual harassment redressal panel constituted by the Film Chamber, said a communication was sent to Telugu Film and TV Dancers and Dance Directors Association not to allow Jani Master to discharge duties as its president until he is cleared of all the charges.
Telangana State Commission for Women chairperson Nerella Sharada had on Wednesday said the complainant in the case approached the Commission. She said orders would be issued to provide police protection to her. The Commission would also extend necessary help, on behalf of the panel, to her, Sharada said.
The issue also assumed political colour with Telangana BJP Mahila Morcha issuing a statement that the party considers it a “Love Jihad” case.
The Jana Sena party led by actor and Andhra Pradesh deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan has asked Jani Master to stay away from its programs in view of the case registered against him. Jani Master had campaigned for the party in the recently concluded polls.
Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by DNA staff and is published from PTI
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