The Odhav police on Friday arrested a studio owner who is alleged to have molested a struggling actress, promising to give her roles in TV serials and films. The man was caught red-handed when the lady, with the help of a local social worker and a family member, laid a trap for him.
According to the Odhav police, on June 28, Riya (name changed) read an advertisement in a daily newspaper, given by one Manoj Patel, that he required actors and actresses. When she approached Patel, he asked for Rs300 towards registration and her passport-size modelling photographs.
Riya promptly did the formalities. It was a few days later, when Patel asked her for a full body check-up, that Riya got suspicious. She contacted her sister-in-law and a social worker.
The police further said that on Thursday, Patel called up Riya to offer her a job. He told her that they would need to leave for Vadodara as some well-known Bollywood actors were shooting there, and they needed people for the supporting cast. He also asked her to wear western apparel, and then meet him at Paldi.
The three, wanting to teach Patel a lesson, laid out a trap. The sister-in-law and social worker went with Riya and followed her till the room. Riya has alleged that when she entered the room, Patel asked her to undress and started misbehaving. Riya shouted, and the two came to her rescue. They immediately called the police and got Patel arrested.
While speaking to DNA, MS Sindha, PI of the Odhav police station, said, "We are investigating the case. However, we urge people to not let themselves be lured by such advertisements. If they wish to apply for something of this sort, they should first verify the authenticity of the other party, as also inform their families, before proceeding further."
