Sunday, June 22, 2025
spot_img
HomeEntertainmentActor Vijay Raaz Acquitted in 2020 Sexual Harassment Case Due to Lack...

Actor Vijay Raaz Acquitted in 2020 Sexual Harassment Case Due to Lack of Evidence

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India] : Actor Vijay Raaz, known for his memorable roles in films like Stree and Delhi Belly, has been acquitted of sexual harassment and stalking charges filed by a female crew member during the shoot of the film Sherni, which also starred Vidya Balan.

The verdict was delivered by the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate’s Court in Gondia, Maharashtra. Judge Mahendra Keshao Sorte declared the 51-year-old actor not guilty under Sections 354-A (sexual harassment) and 354-D (stalking) of the Indian Penal Code, citing insufficient evidence and the prosecution’s inability to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.

The allegations stemmed from an incident between October 25 and 29, 2020, during filming at Hotel Gateway in Gondia and Jatashankar College in Balaghat. The complainant accused Raaz of inappropriate physical contact and objectionable remarks. An FIR was filed on November 3, 2020, and the actor was briefly arrested in Balaghat on November 4, before being released on bail the same day.

During the investigation, police gathered CCTV footage and witness statements. However, the court noted that:

  • Key witnesses did not witness the alleged incident directly.
  • The complainant passed away before she could testify in court.
  • CCTV footage was inconclusive.
  • Witnesses turned hostile or failed to corroborate the evidence.

Vijay Raaz’s lawyer, Saveena Bedi Sachar, stated that the case caused significant disruption to the actor’s career, including his removal from the film. She expressed hope that the acquittal would highlight the importance of due process and cautioned against assuming guilt based solely on allegations.

The court has canceled Raaz’s bail bond, ordered the return of the surety amount, and instructed the destruction of the CCTV footage after the appeal period. Raaz has also been directed to provide a surety bond of Rs. 7,000 under Section 437-A of the CrPC to ensure his presence in case an appeal is filed.

Suggested Tags:

RELATED ARTICLES

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Most Popular

Recent Comments