Casting couch at play? Producer Karim Morani arrested for rape
Karim Morani, the producer of several Shah Rukh Khan films like 'Chennai Express' and 'Dilwale', was arrested in Hyderabad on Friday for allegedly raping a 25-year-old woman. The victim, a BBA graduate from Delhi, has accused him of raping her repeatedly in Mumbai and Hyderabad on the pretext of marriage. Morani, however, claims that their sexual relationship was consensual.
Morani was also jailed for involvement in 2G spectrum scam
This is not the first time that Morani, the director of Cineyug Films, has been under public scanner. He was previously charged in a money laundering case, and was one of the 13 high-profile people to be jailed in connection with the 2G spectrum scam.
The victim wanted to act, went to Morani for help
The victim filed a complaint with Hyderabad's Hayatnagar police station in January 2017. She accused Morani of raping her multiple times between September-October 2015, shooting her nudes, and blackmailing her. The police thereafter booked him on several charges including rape and criminal intimidation. The complainant wanted to become an actor. She met Morani through his daughter, with whom she did theatre.
Morani surrenders hours after the SC verdict on his bail
A lot has happened since the FIR in January. A Hyderabad trial court granted Morani anticipatory bail. The police challenged it in high court, citing strong evidence against the producer. The high court subsequently cancelled his bail, forcing Morani to move the Supreme Court. Hours after the Supreme Court upheld the high court's order of cancelling his bail, Morani surrendered to the police.
Other Bollywood celebrities who have been accused of rape
Karim Morani isn't the first to be charged for rape and sexual assault. The list is long, but these are among the most recognizable offenders: actors Shiney Ahuja and Aditya Pancholi, TV presenter Aman Yatan Verma, and director Madhur Bhandarkar.
