Two significant events have recently taken place in the life of Telugu choreographer Jani Master. Whe the 70th National Film Awards winners were announced, Jani Master (real name Shaik Jani Basha) won Best Choreography for the song Megham Karukkatha in the 2022 Tamil film Thiruchitrambalam, starring Dhanush and Nithya Menen. A few weeks later, he was arrested by Telangana Police on September 19, 2024, for allegedly sexually assaulting an employee, who was a minor at the time of the incident. Charges have been filed against him under the POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act. Jani Master Case: Rape-Accused Choreographer Granted Interim Bail From October 6 to 10 To Receive His National Award.

In an ideal situation, the award would have been revoked or at least put on hold until a trial determines the choreographer’s guilt or innocence. Instead, Jani Master was granted interim bail by the Rangareddy District Court from October 6 to October 10 to attend the felicitation ceremony in New Delhi for the 70th National Film Award winners.

This bail decision has left many netizens outraged, with claims that it reflects callousness towards the severity of the charges. They argue that such serious allegations, especially involving a minor, should not result in such an easy reprieve, and question how the National Award organisers can consider honouring someone facing such accusations. Prominent among these voices is singer Chinmayi Sripadaa, who has long been an outspoken advocate of the #MeToo movement in India. Jani Master, ‘Stree 2’ Choreographer, Confesses to Sexual Assault Allegations Following Victim’s Accusation – Reports.

Chinmayi Sripadaa on Jani Master's Bail

Check Out What Other Netizens Have to Say on Jani Master's Bail

'Thrown Back Into Prison'

'My A$$'

'What Nonsense'

'Rich Will Always Escape the Consequences'

'We Should Be Ashamed'

'Pin Drop Silence'

Sexual Assault Charges Against Jani Master

Now 21, the victim claims the assaults occurred in multiple cities, including Chennai, Mumbai, and Hyderabad, after she became Jani Master’s assistant in 2019, having first met him in 2017. According to police, the victim alleged that Jani Master sexually assaulted her during a work trip to Mumbai in 2020, with the harassment continuing and threats made to keep her silent. Initially, a zero FIR was filed by Raidurgam police, which was later re-registered at Narsingi Police Station.

The accused faces charges of rape, criminal intimidation, and assault under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, as well as provisions of the POCSO Act, since the victim was a minor at the time of the offences.

Women and Child Helpline Numbers:

Childline India – 1098; Missing Child and Women – 1094; Women’s Helpline – 181; National Commission for Women Helpline – 112; National Commission for Women Helpline Against Violence – 7827170170; Police Women and Senior Citizen Helpline – 1091/1291.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 04, 2024 01:41 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).