Filmmaker Shakeel Noorani held after aspiring actor alleges rape

Mumbai Police have arrested 73-year-old Bollywood filmmaker Shakeel Noorani after an aspiring actor accused him of rape and threats, according to officials. The woman, 33, filed a complaint alleging that Noorani sexually assaulted her over the course of four years and poisoned her, resulting in a miscarriage. She claimed that Noorani invited her to his residence under the pretext of discussing a film script, spiked her drink, and sexually assaulted her.

When she regained consciousness, he showed her an intimate video on his mobile phone and threatened to release it if she went to the police or informed her family. Noorani allegedly threatened her further and performed sexual assaults multiple times. He also provided her with contraceptive pills and poisoned her, leading to a miscarriage, a police official stated, quoting the woman's complaint lodged 40 days ago.

Following the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against him, Noorani went into hiding. Police located him at his farmhouse in Mahabaleshwar, a hill station over 200 km from Mumbai, and apprehended him, bringing him back to Mumbai. He has been booked under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including rape, causing hurt by poison, causing miscarriage, and criminal intimidation. He was produced in a local court and remanded to police custody until August 12.