Karan Oberoi Rape Case Sparks #MenToo Movement; Pooja Bedi, Others Come Out in Support of Actor

Amidst allegations of rape and extortion against the television actor Karan Oberoi, his close friend and actor Pooja Bedi came out in support of Karan, urging that the laws that exist to protect women should be used responsibly by them. Recently, when a press conference was held in support of the actor, Pooja along with the rape accused actor's sister Gurbani Oberoi and the members of A Band Of Boys — the Indipop band, that includes Sudhanshu Pandey, Sherrin Verghese, Chaitanya Bhosle and Siddharth Haldipur, among others, addressed the media and defended the accused. Karan Oberoi Arrested in Alleged Rape Case; Actor Breaks Down in Tears During the Court Proceedings

For the uninitiated, television actor ran Oberoi was arrested by Mumbai police in connection with an alleged rape case on Monday (May 6). The actor was produced in the Andheri Court after an FIR was filed by the victim (a woman from Oshiwara). The actor was arrested on charges of not just rape but also blackmail (by a fashion designer-and-healer). According to the victim, the actor was in a relationship with her since 2016 and he established physical relation with her on the pretext of marriage. Karan Oberoi Rape Case: Pooja Bedi Defends the Actor, Says ‘Many Women Use Law for Vendetta’

In a statement of Times of India, Pooja stated, "We cannot have an equal society if we are so focused on protecting what we consider a 'weaker sex' that we refuse to openly acknowledge a rising number of women as tyrants. Being a 'rape or abuse complainant' gives women almost 'holy cow' status. It's almost sacrilegious to challenge a woman's claim or to stand up for a man you consider a victim. Women have rights, but women are not above the law and that needs to be made very clear by prosecuting women who file false cases.

She further added, "We need to have equally stringent punishment for women who baselessly use provisions of law to subject men to tough laws and procedures. Most important in the quest for equal rights is the need to protect the identity of men until they are proven guilty. Why is only a woman's reputation sacred and not a man's? Does he not have a career? Social respect? Family? If a woman is found guilty of a fake case, she should also be publicly named and shamed, like what happens to men. Let's focus on equal laws to protect, equal laws to punish, and a fight for an equal society. It's time for #MenToo."

The actress also took to the micro-blogging site to express her angst against the woman and wrote, "The word #rape is being too loosely used. #rape is a #HEINOUS crime! So for CLARITY.... Consensual sex is NOT RAPE Non marriage is NOT RAPE Rejection is NOT RAPE A man deciding to not make a fling into a relationship is NOT RAPE We need LAW to SPECIFY this. #FakeCases #MenToo"

Check Out Pooja Bedi's Tweet Here:

After Pooja Bedi’s Reaction, Karan’s Other Friends and Colleagues Too Came in Support of the Actor:

Sudhanshu Pandey: "I have known Karan since two decades. Karan comes from a good family and had a solid upbringing. He has always led a disciplined life and has no vices. He is one of the most chivalrous guys I have ever come across. So, this is a completely unbelievable situation that we are in right now. We want to tell people that what’s happening to him is wrong."

Sherrin Verghese: "This points out how the law has been misused and the person is deriving a certain kind of sadistic pleasure by doing it. You can’t force someone to love you and this is a clear case of one-sided love."

Speaking of the case register at Oshiwara Police Station, an FIR has been filed under sections 376 (rape) and 384 (extortion) of the Indian Penal Code. The complainant, in her FIR, has said that the actor not only raped her but also filmed the act and demanded money from her, threatening to release the video if she did not pay up. TV Actor Karan Oberoi Arrested for Allegedly Raping, Blackmailing Woman With Sex Tape; Booked by Mumbai Police – Deets Inside

On the career front, the accused actor has worked in several TV shows including, Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin, Inside Edge, among others. The actor has also appeared in advertising campaigns of FBB, Royal Enfield Riding Apparel, Aldo, Jack & Jones and Lamborghini. Stay tuned to LatestLY for more updates.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 09, 2019 10:00 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).