Veteran filmmaker Shakeel Noorani arrested on rape and blackmail charges
Producer-director Shakeel Noorani, 73, was taken into custody after a 40-day evasion, accused of repeatedly raping an aspiring actress and threatening to release assault videos.
Mumbai authorities arrested veteran producer-director Shakeel Noorani, 73, after tracking him to a Mahabaleshwar farmhouse, ending a 40-day period on the run. The actress who filed the FIR says Noorani lured her to his Malwani home under the guise of a script discussion, spiked her drink and repeatedly assaulted her, later showing her video recordings and threatening distribution if she reported the crimes. She further alleges that he administered contraceptive pills, leading to a miscarriage.
The police presented Noorani before a Satara court, where he was remanded in custody until August 12 on charges of rape, criminal intimidation, poisoning and causing miscarriage. A Malwani police officer described the technical tracing that led to his capture, while DCP Sandip Ghuge noted ongoing investigations. Noorani’s counsel, Vikas Singh Goar, maintains his client is being wrongly implicated and offered no additional remarks.
Why it matters
The case highlights alleged abuse of power by a senior film industry figure and raises concerns about victim protection.
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