Singer Ankit Tiwari of Aashiqui 2 fame was arrested yesterday on charges of allegedly raping a woman he had been in a relationship with since 2012. The complainant stated that the 24-yearold singer repeatedly raped her while promising marriage. According to Machhindra Bodkhe, inspector at Versova police station, Ankit had met the complainant at a Durga Puja event in 2012. On July 21, 2013, she allegedly invited him and some friends to celebrate the birthday of her sister, with whom she lives.
READ: 'Aashiqui 2' singer Ankit Tiwari arrested on rape chargesAccording to Bodhke, the complainant claimed that Ankit proposed marriage to her in front of everyone and forced her to consume alcohol, before taking her to the bedroom and raping her. "The next morning, she told her sister about the rape, who then confronted Ankit. He allegedly told her that since they would be getting married soon, she should not object to sex," said Bodkhe.
A month later, in August 2013, the singer put vermillion on the complainant's forehead in the presence of their friends and her sister, but when she insisted on a court marriage, he allegedly developed cold feet. The complainant alleges that Ankit's brother Ankur then threatened her against pressuring the singer for marriage by brandishing a knife.
The complainant first approached the Versova police towards the end of February 2014 and lodged a formal complaint of rape on April 14. "Since this was not a case of rape in the immediate moment, it took time to gather evidence before making a formal arrest," explained Bodkhe, adding that the evidence included the testimonies of their common friends who were present at the party last July.
Ankit has been charged under Sections 376, 493 and 417 of the IPC, for rape, cohabitation caused by a man deceitfully inducing a belief of lawful marriage, and cheating. Ankur was charged under Section 506(2) of the IPC for criminal intimidation. Ankit has been remanded to police custody until May 12, while Ankur has been remanded to judicial custody until May 22.
Ankit's lawyer Nagesh Mishra, he told Mirror, "We will fight it out." The complainant heard us out and replied, "No comments."
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