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Durg: In a shocking revelation that has sent shockwaves through the Chhattisgarhi film industry, renowned film producer, director, and actor Manoj Rajput, finds himself at the center of serious allegations. Rajput, who also claims to have a career in the construction sector, was arrested in the charges of raping a close relative for the past 13 years after promising to marry her, a police official said on Saturday.
The allegations came to light when a 29-year-old woman courageously came forward and lodged a complaint at the GRP Bhilai-3 police station. She told a harrowing tale of deception and abuse that began in 2011, when she was just a minor. Rajput, taking advantage of his status and promises of marriage, allegedly subjected her to repeated sexual assault, a serious situation that continued for more than a decade.
The victim narrated her ordeal and has also accused him of establishing unnatural relationships. Acting on the statement of the 29-year-old victim, the police filed a case against the accused for rape, unnatural sexual relations, criminal intimidation, and other offenses under the Indian Penal Code along with protection of children from sexual offenses (POCSO) Act, and arrested him from his office in Durg district.
“On February 22, she lodged a complaint at the Old Bhilai railway police station about Rajput sexually exploiting her since 2011 on the pretext of marriage. After he reneged on his promise, she approached police,” Station House Officer (SHO) Rajkumar Borjha said.
Rajput was charged under Indian Penal Code sections for rape, unnatural sex, criminal intimidation and other offences as well as the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act since the victim was a minor when the alleged exploitation began, Borjha said.
A local court where Rajput was produced, however, scrapped the provisions of POCSO Act citing the law did not exist in 2011 (when the exploitation allegedly started), he added.
This case underlines the importance of creating an environment where victims feel empowered to come forward, and where their allegations are processed promptly and fairly. The film industry, along with its stakeholders, is now at a crossroads, tasked with reflecting on its practices and making the necessary improvements to protect its members against such crimes in the future.
