SC quashes rape charge against Bhandarkar

New Delhi, Nov 5 (IANS) In a major relief to film producer Madhur Bhandarkar, the Supreme Court Monday quashed the charge of alleged rape levelled against him by actress and model Preeti Jain.

The apex court bench of Justice H.L. Dattu and Justice C.K. Prasad quashed the charge after it was told that the actress was no longer interested in pursuing the matter after nine years.

Jain earlier alleged that Bhandarkar had sex with her 16 times on the promise of casting her in a lead role in a film. Jain filed a complaint in a magistrate's court in 2004 after Maharashtra Police twice filed closure reports after investigation into the allegation of rape.

Maharashtra Police in their Sep 11, 2011, report to the magistrate court said that allegations against Bhandarkar were false.

While quashing the charges against Bhandarkar, the apex court also set aside the Bombay High Court order upholding the magistrate's decision to go ahead with the proceedings.