Choreographer Jani Master confesses to sexual assault after arrest in POCSO case

Telugu choreographer Jani Master has admitted to sexually assaulting his colleague after police arrested him in a POCSO case following a complaint from a 21-year-old woman.

In Short

• Jani Master admitted to sexually assaulting a junior colleague
• The survivor alleged abuse started when she was 16
• Jani allegedly threatened the survivor with violence, job loss

Renowned Telugu choreographer Shaik Jani Basha, also known as Jani Master, admitted to sexually assaulting a junior colleague. As per our sources, the police confirmed that the choreographer confessed to the crimes.

The 42-year-old was booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act after the police identified that he allegedly started assaulting the woman when she was still a minor, 16-year-old. The survivor, now 21, reportedly met Jani in 2017 during a dance reality show, after which he offered her the job of an assistant choreographer. In her complaint to the police and to the Telugu State Commission for Women, the woman alleged that Jani kept assaulting her for six years, in various cities during their outdoor shoots, and also visited her residence in Hyderabad.

The alleged incidents began during a hotel stay in Mumbai in 2020, where the survivor was with other dancers for a show. She told the police that she was usually accompanied by her mother during these outdoor shoots, but she hadn't received her tickets that time. She further alleged that Jani later threatened her with physical violence if she decided to speak about her ordeal with anyone. He also allegedly instilled a fear of losing her job and future opportunities in the film industry.

Woman's neighbour testifies in the case

A police remand report details the claims that Jani Master not only raped her multiple times over six years but also allegedly attempted to manipulate her into converting to his religion and 'marrying' him. The survivor reported enduring months of harassment, leading her to isolate herself at home. Financial pressures eventually compelled her to seek Jani's assistance for job opportunities, which resulted in further abuse.

Witness statements have further corroborated the survivor's claims. A neighbour, who is a former office bearer of the survivor's apartment association, observed Jani visiting her house multiple times, often spending long hours alone with her in the absence of her mother.

The police report reveals that Jani has been charged under Sections 376(2) (punishment for sexual assault), 506 (criminal intimidation), and 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), along with provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. He is currently in 14-day judicial custody, having been arrested in Goa on September 19, 2024.

The survivor, who documented her experiences in a comprehensive 40-page report, has gained support from advocacy groups. She initially confided in one of Jani's assistants, who encouraged her to file a formal complaint with the Telugu Film and TV Dancers and Dance Directors Association (TFTADD).

Jani Master has faced professional repercussions, including suspension from the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce and a workers' union.