A 25-year-old Delhi-based woman had slammed a rape case on Bollywood producer Karim Morani in the third week of January. The girl, an MBA student, lodged a complaint with Rachakonda Police Commissioner accusing Morani of drugging her and then sexually violating her. She further claimed that Morani not only violated her sexually but also threatened to post her nude photos online if she filed a complaint against him.
The complainant, in a statement, also mentioned that she met Morani at his relative's wedding in December 2014, and her ordeal started in 2015 when Morani invited her to a party in Mumbai. The trouble continued for one-and-a-half years until she filed a complaint in 2016.
A case was registered against Morani by Hayathnagar police under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) Sections 376 (rape), 342 (wrongful confinement), 506 (criminal intimidation), 493 (cohabitation caused by a man deceitfully inducing a belief of lawful marriage), 417 (cheating) and Section 354C of the Criminal Law Amendment Act (popularly known as Nirbhaya Act).
As reported in Mumbai Mirror, while the police were still conducting a preliminary enquiry, Morani secured anticipatory bail from the court on January 30. While granting him the anticipatory bail, the court directed, "In the event of the arrest of the petitioner (Morani), he shall be released on bail on his executing personal bond of Rs 50,000 with two sureties. The petitioner shall cooperate with the investigating agency and be present before the court whenever required for further investigation."
The complainant presented WhatsApp chat, text messages and emails between Morani and her as evidence in support of her complaint. The call detail recordings were verified by the police who confirmed that Morani was present at a famous studio in the outskirts of Hyderabad during the period the girl claimed Morani had summoned her to be with him.
The investigators have now filed a petition before the Rangareddy district Fourth Additional District Court seeking cancellation of the anticipatory bail as they have successfully collected 'concrete evidence' against Morani. The Mumbai Mirror report further states that the Rachakonda Police Commissionerate officials are considering serving a notice on Morani in a day or two asking him to surrender before them. However, he still has the chance to approach the High Court seeking anticipatory bail or some other relief.
Mahesh Bhagawat, Rachakonda Police Commissioner, spoke to Mirror, and said, "The anticipatory bail has been cancelled and Morani should surrender before us by March 22. We are waiting for the order copy to reach us before we decide our future course." However, Morani spokesperson refuted the charges, calling them "false and bogus."
