Telugu choreographer Jani Master has been arrested after a 21-year-old choreographer accused him of sexual assault that lasted over several years.
The woman, who worked as his assistant, said that he sexually harassed her even when she was a minor.
On Wednesday, Jani was booked by the Narsingi Police after the woman filed the complaint on September 11.
Jani was arrested in Goa by the Cyberabad police on Thursday. He will be produced in court, a senior police official told PTI, after which he will be brought to Hyderabad.
The victim said that she met Jani in 2017 and offered her a job two years later. She said the harassment started soon after, including once at a hotel she was staying at with Jani and two other male dancers.
Despite being a married man, he asked her to marry him. He also allegedly threatened her against going to the police.
She also claims that Jani's wife, Ayesha, was also involved in the harassment.
According to the police, the POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act will be applied in the case, since the woman was a minor when the harassment began.
A panel from the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce has initiated an investigation into the allegations against the chorographer. The panel will have to submit a report within 90 days of receiving the complaint from the victim.
According to Tammareddy Bharadwaj, a member of the panel, statements have been collected from both the victim and accused.
Head of sexual harrasment redressal panel of the film chamber, Damodar Prasad, sent a notice to the Telegu Film and TV Dancers and Dance Directors Association, asking it not to allow Jani to discharge duties until all charges against him are cleared.
Telangana BJP Machila Morcha's Dr Shilpa Reddy issued a statement claiming 'Love Jihad'.
"This is a case of Love Jihad. Why were simple cases filed against the accused even though it is clearly registered in the FIR that he had trapped a Hindu girl..? It is not fair that the accused has not been arrested so far," she said.
Who is Jani Master?
Shaik Jani Basha, professionally known as Jani Master, is a renowned dance choreographer, who predominantly works in Tamil and Telugu films.
Jani has a son and a daughter with his wife Ayesha.
His first exposure to choreography began in 2009, when he was given the opportunity to choreograph for Drona.
Jani has since then become a household name, working in films like Jailer, Varisu, Beast, Pushpa: The Rise, Bahubali: The Beginning and Jai Ho, to name a few.
Recently, he choreographed for Amir Kaushik's Stree 2.
Earlier this year, he won the 'National Film Award for Best Choreography' for the song Megam Karukkatha from the film Thiruchitrambalam, starring Dhanush and Nithya Menen.
Jani is also part of Pawan Kalyan's JanaSena party. They released a statement following the allegations against him.
“Mr Shaik Jani was ordered to stay away from JanaSena party activities. The party leadership decided on this after a case was registered against him with the police. The decision comes into effect immediately.”
