Mumbai: Actor Vijay Raj is known for his roles in ‘Stri’, ‘Delhi Bailey’ and others, acquitted by sexual harassment and staring allegations filed by a colleague on the set of the film ‘Sarnney’, in which Vidya Balan also acts.
The court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate in Gondia acquitted actor Vijay Raz of all the allegations in the sexual harassment case filed against him in 2020 during shooting of a film in Gondia and Balghat.
The court found him innocent after completing the trial, and he was acquitted of all the allegations against him.
The decision made by Judge Mahendra Kesho Sorte approved a 51-year-old actor of allegations under the Indian Penal Code Section 354-A (sexual harassment) and 354-D (chase), citing lack of prosecution and lack of failure to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case returned on October 25–29, 2020, when a female crew member accused Raz of unfair behavior, including a film shoot at Hotel Gateway in Gondia and later during a film shooting at Jatashankar College in Balaghat, physical contact and thoughtful comments.
His advocate and famous celebrity lawyer Sevana Bedi Sachar said that the actor who was shooting for ‘Sarni’ near Nagpur, not only had to leave the film shoot midway, but also lost work. However, he has now been declared innocent and hopes that the case acts as an example for those who declare every accused guilty, as the charge is made.
According to the FIR filed on 3 November 2020, the actor allegedly tried to touch the complainant, adjusted his mask without consent, and commented on his physical appearance. The woman later reported the incident to her seniors and lodged a complaint at Ramnagar police station.
The incident took place on November 4, 2020, when Raj was arrested in Balghat, Madhya Pradesh, in allegations of tampering with a crew member at a hotel where the film driver was living. He was released on bail on the same day.
During the investigation, the police seized CCTV footage from the hotel and recorded statements of witnesses. However, the court said that:
The major witnesses did not directly witness the incident. CCTV footage failed to support the allegations.
The chief complainant was unavailable to testify, as he died before the test ended. The prosecution witnesses became hostile or could not confirm the seizure procedures or materials of documents.
As a result, the court concluded that the prosecution failed to prove the involvement of the accused in any sexual misconduct and not convicted the Raz.
The court also ordered the cancellation of the rage bail bond, return of bail amount and destruction of seized footage after the appeal period. He is directed to present a certain bond of rupee. 7,000 for six months under Section 437-A of CRPC, if an appeal is filed to ensure the appearance.
