Telugu choregrapher Jani Master sent to 14-day judicial custody in POCSO case

Choreographer Shaik Jani Basha, who was arrested in Goa following a sexual assault case, was sent to 14-day judicial custody on Friday by a Hyderabad court.

In Short

• Jani Master sent to 14-day judicial custody in Hyderabad
• He was arrested by Cyberabad police in Goa
• The choreographer is accused of sexual abuse and a strong case has been filed

Telugu choreographer Shaik Jani Basha, popularly known as Jani Master, was sent to 14-day judicial custody by the Upparpally court in Hyderabad on Friday, September 20. The choreographer was arrested by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Cyberabad police on Thursday, September 19, in Goa, after which he was presented to the court. Jani Master has been sent to the Chanchalguda Central Jail in Hyderabad.

As per a report published in The Hindu, a senior official investigating the case confirmed the news and added that the police will be applying for a custody petition in court soon. The official said they needed to interrogate the accused, considering the sensitivity of the sexual abuse allegations levelled against him.

He was quoted as saying, "The case is strong, and chances of bail are very slim. Discussions are underway about applying for his custody in court. Questioning will be done regarding the allegations levelled against him."

The police added the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) clause to the FIR after identifying that the survivor was still a minor, 16-year-old, when the alleged assault first began. An FIR was lodged against the choreographer earlier this week following a written complaint by a 21-year-old junior choreographer who alleged that Jani Master sexually assaulted her for six years during their outdoor shoots and at her residence in Hyderabad.

She also reached out to the Telangana State Commission for Women and submitted a 40-page written document, narrating her ordeal. The woman was later given police protection.

Jani has been booked under multiple sections, including sections 376 (2) (punishment for sexual assault), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Meanwhile, the choreographer's wife, Ayesha, denied all the allegations against her husband and questioned the survivor's decision to file a late complaint in the matter. She also alleged that the woman thanked Master for helping in her career before accusing him of sexually assaulting her. The accused has not released any statement in the case yet.