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The entertainment industry in India, particularly Tollywood, has been shaken by a recent accusation of sexual assault against popular choreographer Shaik Jani Basha, better known as Jani Master. A young woman, who also works as a choreographer in the Telugu film industry, has filed a police complaint alleging that Jani Master sexually assaulted her multiple times. This incident has sent shockwaves through the industry and brought the issue of sexual harassment in the workplace to the forefront of public discourse.
The complaint was registered on September 11th at the Raidurgam police station in a sealed cover, given that the survivor was a minor when the alleged crimes took place. Jani Master, known for his work on popular songs like 'Butta Bomma' and 'Arabic Kuthu,' has been booked under sections 376 (2) (punishment for sexual assault), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt) of the Indian Penal Code. However, the police initially refrained from filing a case under the Protection Of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Despite this initial omission, Shikha Goel, the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) for the Women’s Safety Wing, has confirmed that relevant sections of the POCSO Act will be added to the charges after seeking legal opinion. This move underscores the seriousness of the accusations and acknowledges the vulnerability of the survivor due to her age at the time of the alleged assaults. The case has sparked widespread public outrage and discussions regarding the prevalence of sexual harassment in the entertainment industry, highlighting the need for stricter measures to protect victims and ensure accountability for perpetrators.
Source: Popular Tollywood choreographer Jani Master booked for rape, to be charged under POCSO