Latest news with #VijayRaaz
India Gazette
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India Gazette
Actor Vijay Raaz acquitted in sexual harassment case by Gondia Court
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], May 16 (ANI): Actor Vijay Raaz known for his roles in 'Stree', 'Delhi Belly' and others, has been acquitted of sexual harassment and stalking charges filed by a colleague on the sets of the film 'Sherni' also starring Vidya Balan. The Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate's Court in Gondia acquitted actor Vijay Razz of all charges in a sexual harassment case filed against him in 2020 during the shooting of a film in Gondia and Balaghat. The Court found him innocent after completing the trial, and he was acquitted of all charges against him. The judgment, pronounced by Judge Mahendra Keshao Sorte, cleared the 51-year-old actor of allegations under Indian Penal Code Sections 354-A (sexual harassment) and 354-D (stalking), citing lack of evidence and failure of the prosecution to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The case dated back to October 25-29, 2020, when a female crew member accused Razz of inappropriate behaviour, including unwelcome physical contact and suggestive remarks, during a film shoot at Hotel Gateway in Gondia and later at Jatashankar College in Balaghat. His advocate and noted celebrity lawyer Saveena Bedi Sachar, stated that the actor who was shooting near Nagpur for 'Sherni' had to not only leave the film shoot midway but also lost work thereafter. However, he has now been declared innocent and she hopes that this case serves as an example for people who declare every accused as guilty as soon as allegations are levied against him. According to the FIR filed on 3 November 2020, the actor allegedly tried to touch the complainant, adjusted her mask without consent, and made comments about her physical appearance. The woman later reported the incident to her seniors and filed a complaint at Ramnagar Police Station. The incident dates back to November 4, 2020, when Raaz was arrested in Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh, over allegations of molesting a crew member at a hotel where the film crew was staying. He was released on bail the same day. During the investigation, police seized CCTV footage from the hotel and recorded statements of witnesses. However, the court noted that: Key witnesses did not directly witness the incident. CCTV footage failed to conclusively support the allegations. The main complainant was unavailable to testify, as she had died before the trial concluded. Prosecution witnesses turned hostile or could not confirm the seizure procedures or content of documents. As a result, the court concluded that the prosecution failed to prove the accused's involvement in any sexual misconduct and declared Razz not guilty. The court also ordered the cancellation of Razz bail bond, the return of the surety amount, and the destruction of the seized footage after the appeal period. He has been directed to furnish a surety bond of Rs. 7,000 for six months under Section 437-A of CrPC to ensure presence if any appeal is filed. (ANI)
Mint
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Actor Vijay Raaz acquitted in sexual harassment case by Gondia Court
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], May 16 (ANI): Actor Vijay Raaz known for his roles in 'Stree', 'Delhi Belly' and others, has been acquitted of sexual harassment and stalking charges filed by a colleague on the sets of the film 'Sherni' also starring Vidya Balan. The Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate's Court in Gondia acquitted actor Vijay Razz of all charges in a sexual harassment case filed against him in 2020 during the shooting of a film in Gondia and Balaghat. The Court found him innocent after completing the trial, and he was acquitted of all charges against him. The judgment, pronounced by Judge Mahendra Keshao Sorte, cleared the 51-year-old actor of allegations under Indian Penal Code Sections 354-A (sexual harassment) and 354-D (stalking), citing lack of evidence and failure of the prosecution to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The case dated back to October 25-29, 2020, when a female crew member accused Razz of inappropriate behaviour, including unwelcome physical contact and suggestive remarks, during a film shoot at Hotel Gateway in Gondia and later at Jatashankar College in Balaghat. His advocate and noted celebrity lawyer Saveena Bedi Sachar, stated that the actor who was shooting near Nagpur for 'Sherni' had to not only leave the film shoot midway but also lost work thereafter. However, he has now been declared innocent and she hopes that this case serves as an example for people who declare every accused as guilty as soon as allegations are levied against him. According to the FIR filed on 3 November 2020, the actor allegedly tried to touch the complainant, adjusted her mask without consent, and made comments about her physical appearance. The woman later reported the incident to her seniors and filed a complaint at Ramnagar Police Station. The incident dates back to November 4, 2020, when Raaz was arrested in Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh, over allegations of molesting a crew member at a hotel where the film crew was staying. He was released on bail the same day. During the investigation, police seized CCTV footage from the hotel and recorded statements of witnesses. However, the court noted that: Key witnesses did not directly witness the incident. CCTV footage failed to conclusively support the allegations. The main complainant was unavailable to testify, as she had died before the trial concluded. Prosecution witnesses turned hostile or could not confirm the seizure procedures or content of documents. As a result, the court concluded that the prosecution failed to prove the accused's involvement in any sexual misconduct and declared Razz not guilty. The court also ordered the cancellation of Razz bail bond, the return of the surety amount, and the destruction of the seized footage after the appeal period. He has been directed to furnish a surety bond of Rs. 7,000 for six months under Section 437-A of CrPC to ensure presence if any appeal is filed. (ANI)
News18
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Actor Vijay Raaz Acquitted In 2020 Sexual Harassment Case Due To Lack Of Evidence
Last Updated: Vijay Raaz is known for his roles in films like 'Stree', 'Delhi Belly' and 'Dedh Ishqiya. A court in Maharashtra on Thursday acquitted Bollywood actor Vijay Raaz in a sexual harassment case filed by a colleague in 2020, holding that the 'prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence against him". Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (Gondia) Mahendra Sorte dropped the charges under IPC sections 354-A (sexual Harassment) and 354-D (stalking) pressed against the actor. A crew member had alleged that the actor sexually harassed her during the shoot of the movie 'Sherni' about five years ago. As per the complaint filed at the Ramnagar police station in Gondia, the alleged offence was committed between the night of October 25, 2020, and the morning of October 29, 2020. On November 4, 2020, Raaz was arrested in Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh, where the film crew was staying. He was released on bail the same day. The complainant stated that the incident took place in a hotel, but the investigating officer did not visit the spot, the order said. The judge said the complainant mentioned the names of two to three persons working at the hotel, but their statements were not recorded. 'The investigating officer did not conduct any further investigation. Therefore, the evidence presented by the prosecution appears weak and insufficient. Even the seized CCTV footage does not clearly show the accused committing the alleged act," the court said. The prosecution has 'failed to conclusively prove the guilt of the accused", so the benefit of doubt goes to the accused, held the court. The court said the oral evidence presented by the prosecution was not sufficient to convict the accused. Hence, he is acquitted, it added. The actor's lawyer Saveena Bedi Sachar said that Raaz, who was shooting near Nagpur for 'Sherni', had to not only leave the film shoot midway but also lost work thereafter. Since he has now been declared innocent, this case should serve as an example for people who declare every accused as guilty as soon as allegations are levied against him, the advocate added. Raaz is known for his roles in films like 'Stree', 'Delhi Belly' and 'Dedh Ishqiya. First Published:
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Vijay Raaz acquitted in 2020 sexual harassment case due to lack of evidence, actor's lawyer says he lost work after allegations
Bollywood actor Vijay Raaz was acquitted on Thursday by a Maharashtra court in a sexual harassment case filed against him in 2020 by a female crew member during the shoot of Vidya Balan-starrer Sherni. The Gondia court held that the prosecution had "failed to present sufficient evidence" to prove the allegations beyond reasonable doubt. Court cites lack of evidence and lapses in investigation As per PTI, the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Mahendra Sorte dropped the charges under Sections 354-A (sexual harassment) and 354-D (stalking) of the Indian Penal Code, citing serious lapses in the investigation. The complaint had been filed at the Ramnagar police station in Gondia, alleging that Raaz harassed the woman between the night of October 25 and morning of October 29, 2020, at a hotel where the film's cast and crew were lodged. The actor was arrested on November 4, 2020, in Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh, and was granted bail the same day. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo According to the court order, the investigating officer did not visit the alleged crime scene nor did they record the statements of hotel staff members named by the complainant. 'The evidence presented by the prosecution appears weak and insufficient,' the judge observed. Even the CCTV footage submitted by the prosecution 'did not clearly show the accused committing the alleged act.' The court noted that 'the oral evidence presented by the prosecution was not sufficient to convict the accused,' and therefore, Raaz was acquitted. The benefit of doubt, as per criminal law, went to the accused. Raaz arrested, granted bail the same day Raaz's lawyer Saveena Bedi Sachar welcomed the verdict, stating, 'He was shooting near Nagpur for Sherni when the case came up. Not only did he have to leave the shoot midway, but he also lost work thereafter.' She further added, 'Now that the court has declared him innocent, this should be an eye-opener for those who treat every accused as guilty from the moment allegations are made.' Vijay Raaz Opens Up About His Exit from 'Son of Sardar 2', Denies Ignoring Ajay Devgn Raaz, known for his acclaimed performances in films like Stree, Delhi Belly, Run, and Dedh Ishqiya , had kept a low profile following the controversy.
Hindustan Times
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Actor Vijay Raaz acquitted in 2020 sexual harassment case
Mumbai, A court in Maharashtra on Thursday acquitted Bollywood actor Vijay Raaz in a sexual harassment case filed by a colleague in 2020, holding that the 'prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence against him'. Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Mahendra Sorte dropped the charges under IPC sections 354-A and 354-D pressed against the actor. A crew member had alleged that the actor sexually harassed her during the shoot of the movie 'Sherni' about five years ago. As per the complaint filed at the Ramnagar police station in Gondia, the alleged offence was committed between the night of October 25, 2020, and the morning of October 29, 2020. On November 4, 2020, Raaz was arrested in Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh, where the film crew was staying. He was released on bail the same day. The complainant stated that the incident took place in a hotel, but the investigating officer did not visit the spot, the order said. The judge said the complainant mentioned the names of two to three persons working at the hotel, but their statements were not recorded. 'The investigating officer did not conduct any further investigation. Therefore, the evidence presented by the prosecution appears weak and insufficient. Even the seized CCTV footage does not clearly show the accused committing the alleged act,' the court said. The prosecution has 'failed to conclusively prove the guilt of the accused', so the benefit of doubt goes to the accused, held the court. The court said the oral evidence presented by the prosecution was not sufficient to convict the accused. Hence, he is acquitted, it added. The actor's lawyer Saveena Bedi Sachar said that Raaz, who was shooting near Nagpur for 'Sherni', had to not only leave the film shoot midway but also lost work thereafter. Since he has now been declared innocent, this case should serve as an example for people who declare every accused as guilty as soon as allegations are levied against him, the advocate added. Raaz is known for his roles in films like 'Stree', 'Delhi Belly' and 'Dedh Ishqiya.
