Jani Master, who was arrested in Goa on Thursday, was reportedly grilled by the Hyderabad police in the sexual assault case filed against him by a junior female choreographer. The National Award-winning choreographer was questioned in an undisclosed location in Hyderabad today, September 20 and later produced in Upparapalli court. Now, it has been reported that Jani Master has been sent to a 14-day judicial remand.
Jani Master sent to Charlapalli Central Jail
On Friday, the POSCO court sent Jani Master to a 14-day judicial custody (which is till October 3) in Charlapalli Central Jail. The veteran choreographer has been charged under IPC Sections 376 (rape), 506 (criminal intimidation), and 323(2), along with the POCSO Act. He has reportedly approached the Rangareddy court for bail.
According to police, the victim alleged that Jani Master sexually assaulted her in 2020 during a work trip to Mumbai and continued sexual harassment and threatened not to disclose to anyone. The Raidurgam police of Cyberabad on September 15 booked a zero FIR. Subsequently, the case was re-registered at Narsingi Police Station where he was booked for rape, criminal intimidation and assault charges. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Rajendranagar zone) Ch. Srinivas said on recording the victim’s statement it was disclosed that, at the time of the offence, she was a minor. Therefore, section of 5 (l) r/w 6 of the Protection Of Children from Sexual Offence (POCSO) Act.
The victim, now 21, alleged that the choreographer sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions in different cities, including Chennai, Mumbai, and Hyderabad. The complainant told police that she came in contact with the choreographer in 2017 and became an assistant to him in 2019.
Jani Master’s wife Sumalatha demands justice
In an interview with TV9 (quoted by Pinkvilla), Sumalatha claimed that the allegations against Jani Master are untrue. She said, “The allegation that the woman was harassed when she was 16 is disgusting. There is no truth in it. If the girl can show evidence, I will leave Master.” She said that there was a bigger conspiracy to destroy his career. Sumalatha said if the female choreographer showed evidence, she would leave her husband.
