Vijay Raaz acquitted in 2020 sexual harassment case – Firstpost

A court docket in Maharashtra on Thursday acquitted Bollywood actor Vijay Raaz in a sexual harassment case filed by a colleague in 2020, holding that the “prosecution did not current adequate proof in opposition to him”.

Extra Chief Judicial Justice of the Peace (Gondia) Mahendra Sorte dropped the costs underneath IPC sections 354-A (sexual Harassment) and 354-D (stalking) pressed in opposition to the actor.

A crew member had alleged that the actor sexually harassed her through the shoot of the film ‘Sherni’ about 5 years in the past.

As per the grievance filed on the Ramnagar police station in Gondia, the alleged offence was dedicated between the night time of October 25, 2020, and the morning of October 29, 2020.

On November 4, 2020, Raaz was arrested in Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh, the place the movie crew was staying. He was launched on bail the identical day.

The complainant acknowledged that the incident occurred in a resort, however the investigating officer didn’t go to the spot, the order stated.

The decide stated the complainant talked about the names of two to a few individuals working on the resort, however their statements weren’t recorded.

“The investigating officer didn’t conduct any additional investigation. Subsequently, the proof offered by the prosecution seems weak and inadequate. Even the seized CCTV footage doesn’t clearly present the accused committing the alleged act,” the court docket stated.

The prosecution has “did not conclusively show the guilt of the accused”, so the good thing about doubt goes to the accused, held the court docket.

The court docket stated the oral proof offered by the prosecution was not adequate to convict the accused. Therefore, he’s acquitted, it added.

The actor’s lawyer Saveena Bedi Sachar stated that Raaz, who was taking pictures close to Nagpur for ‘Sherni’, needed to not solely go away the movie shoot halfway but additionally misplaced work thereafter.

Since he has now been declared harmless, this case ought to serve for instance for individuals who declare each accused as responsible as quickly as allegations are levied in opposition to him, the advocate added.

Raaz is thought for his roles in movies like ‘Stree’, ‘Delhi Stomach’ and ‘Dedh Ishqiya.