Shiney Ahuja's bail plea rejected

Mumbai, Sep 11 (IANS) A Mumbai court Friday rejected the bail application of Bollywood actor Shiney Ahuja, accused of raping his teenaged domestic help.

The actor's bail plea, which was pending before a Mumbai sessions court, had been transferred to a fast track court last month, said his lawyer Shrikant Shivade.

Shiney has been accused of raping his domestic help at his Andheri West home June 14.

The charges against the actor will be framed Sep 23 before fast track court judge S.R. Trivedi, Shivade told IANS.

After the charges are framed, the trial - in which the prosecution would examine around two dozen witnesses - shall commence on a regular day-to-day basis by month-end.

The prosecution does not intend to examine all the witnesses who are lined up and it expects the trial to be completed within two weeks, according to a prosecution lawyer.

Shiney, who will continue in judicial custody at the Arthur Road Jail, faces a minimum seven-year jail sentence if the charges against him are proved in court.