A fast-track court in Sewree (Mumbai) found Bollywood actor Shiney Ahuja guilty of raping his 20-year-old domestic help and sentenced him to seven years of rigorous imprisonment. The actor, who was accused of raping his maid at his Oshiwara residence in June 2009, was acquitted of charges of wrongful restraint and criminal intimidation. Ad-hoc additional sessions judge PM Chouhan imposed a fine of Rs 3,000 and said that the ruling was based on strong medical evidence, a positive DNA test and the victim’s statement to a magistrate.
Shiney, who had come to court with his wife Anupam and family, broke down when the verdict was read. His lawyer said they would file an appeal against the verdict in the High Court.
Shiney Ahuja debuted in Bollywood with Sudhir Mishra’s Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi in 2003. He went on to act in films like Life In A Metro, Bhool Bhulaiyaa and more. His film with Preity Zinta, Har Pal, is stuck because of his case.
The Case
June 14, 2009: Shiney Ahuja’s maid lodges a complaint with the Oshiwara police station alleging that the actor had raped her. Ahuja is arrested on the same day.
August 2009: The police file a 109-page charegesheet against the actor.
October 1, 2009: The Bombay high court grants bail to Shiney.
August 25, 2010: The victim turns hostile stating Ahuja had never raped her, and that she had filed the complaint at the behest of another woman who had got her the job at Ahuja’s residence. She also tells the court that the contents written in the police report were incorrect and she never stated so.
March 30, 2011: Shiney Ahuja is sentenced to 7 years of rigorous imprisonment.
