Spelling fresh trouble for National Award-winning film director Madhur Bhandarkar, a Mumbai court today (September 19) issued summons against him in a 2004 rape case filed by an upcoming starlet, the complainant’s lawyer said.
"The magistrate, Andheri Railway Mobile Court, today issued summons asking Madhur Bhandarkar to appear before it October 18 and file his statement in the case," advocate S. Kunjuraman, lawyer for the alleged victim, Preeti Jain, said.
Despite repeated attempts, Madhur remained unavailable for comment and did not reply to SMSes seeking his version of the developments – later his phone was switched off.
Police earlier requested the court to dismiss the case against Madhur as during their investigations they found Preeti’s allegations to be false.
Kunjuraman said that Magistrate B.B. Pantawane Monday issued summons to Madhur over Preeti’s complaint over offences including rape and intimidation.
In July 2004, Preeti, living in the Malad suburb of north Mumbai, created a sensation after she accused Madhur of rape on the pretext of giving her a lead role in his film.
Preeti alleged that she and Madhur were intimate from 1999-2004 as he promised her a role in his films and marriage.
In a statement later, Preeti alleged: "Madhur made promises of giving me a lead role in his films. However, he didn’t offer me a lead role in any of his movies. At times when I refused, he raped me."
In September 2005, Preeti was arrested after she reportedly hired a contract killer for Rs.70,000 to murder Madhur.
In January 2006, police requested the court to dismiss the case against Madhur as they had found Pretti’s allegations to be false.
Madhur, 44, is credited with making sensitive, critically acclaimed and box-office hit films like ‘Chandni Bar’, ‘Page 3’, ‘Corporate’ and ‘Fashion’.(IANS)
