Booked for rape by Mumbai Police, Aditya Pancholi cancels press conference twice in as many days; yet to be arrested

Bollywood actor Aditya Pancholi was Thursday booked by Mumbai police on charges of raping a 36-year-old woman. He has not been questioned yet.

The Pancholis were supposed to sit for a press conference but they cancelled it twice in two days. As of now, the whereabouts are unknown and the police is yet to arrest the actor.

Suburban Versova police registered the case under IPC section 376 (rape) and other relevant provisions after recording the statement of the woman, a senior police official said.

The woman's sister had submitted an application in April to police, alleging that Pancholi exploited and abused her sister where they were allegedly in a relationship a decade ago.

Pancholi claimed he has been implicated in a false case, adding the law will take its course.

Suburban Versova police registered the case against Pancholi under IPC sections 376 (rape), 323 (assault), 328 (causing hurt by means of poison) and 384 (extortion), a senior official said.

According the complainant, the 54-year-old actor sexually assaulted her between 2004 and 2009, said police spokesperson DCP Manjunath Singte.

Pancholi also beat her up and confined her to his house whenever she tried to approach police during this period, the complaint said.

She also alleged that Pancholi demanded Rs 1 crore from her for not showing her private photographs to her family and friends, and claimed she paid him Rs 50 lakh.

Further probe is on and Pancholi has not been questioned yet, another police official said.

Reacting to the development, Pancholi, who starred in several Bollywood films in the 1990s, told PTI, "It is a false rape case that they were planning and now they have done it. I was anticipating this. This was pre-planned as I had filed a defamation case against them. It is not a small allegation, the law will take its course, I will fight out... the truth will come out.

"I am being falsely implicated in this case. I have all the evidence and video in this case. I am ready to cooperate with the Mumbai Police. If they will call me for my statement, then I will cooperate. I am ready for investigation. I knew that a case will be registered against me. I am not going anywhere. The police have not approached me after the FIR was registered," Pancholi told ANI over the phone. 

(With inputs from agencies)