Mumbai: Actor Ajaz Khan has been booked for rape by Charkop Police in Mumbai, after a complaint filed by an actress who accused her of sexual harassment on the pretext of marriage.
Police officials have confirmed that the case was registered under the newly enacted Indian Joint Code (BNS) sections 64, 64 (2) (M), 69 and 74, and further investigation is going on, police officers confirmed.
According to the complaint, the actress alleged that Khan had promised a role in her OTT show ‘House Arrest’ and other projects. He claimed that when the show started, he proposed it and assured him of marriage.
The complainant further said that on 25 March, Ajaj Khan raped her at her home after making a false marriage promise of marriage. He said that Khan again sexually assaulted, repeated the promise of marriage.
The actress claimed that Khan assured her that she would take full responsibility for her and even told her that her religion allows four marriages.
The Charkop police is looking at the details of the incident, while a separate FIR against Khan was already filed at Amboli police station after a Bajrang Dal complaint on his OTT show ‘House Arrest’.
In that case, Ajaj Khan was accused of indecent representation of women and publication of obscene material.
The Mumbai Police booked Khans and others in the show under Section 67 of the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000, which punishes or transmit pornographic content electronically.
Under this section, the first convict is a maximum punishment of three years and a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh, while the crimes of repeat can pay five years imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh.
Additionally, Khan faced allegations under Section 296 of BNS for porn acts and songs. This provision prohibits performing obscene acts or performing porn words in public places, which causes annoyance and punishing up to three months imprisonment.
The FIR has also invited Section 4 of the indecent representation (prohibition) act, 1986 of women, which prevents the production and distribution of any materials with indecent illustrations of women.
Violation of this provision can cause a maximum jail period of three years. Section 7 of the same Act has also been implemented, creating responsible persons within the company – including to look after the material on the OTT platform – responsible for legal action.
The show was streamted by the OTT platform ‘Ulu’, which has now been taken down after a wider backlash and a ban demand. Chitra Wagh, president of Maharashtra BJP Mahaila Morcha, called the first show “nothing but an Eptome of Pornography” and demanded strict action.
Meanwhile, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has noticed the dispute and called ULLU CEO Vibhu Aggarwal and Ajaz Khan on 9 May regarding allegations related to pornographic material and perceived exploitation.
Officials said the Mumbai Police is making sure that both the actor and the decision makers of the OTT platform have to face the results under the applied laws.
