Shiney sent to JC, might move for bail on Friday

Mumbai, Jun 18 (PTI) Bollywood actor Shiney Ahuja,
accused of raping his young domestic help, was Thursday sent
to judicial custody till July two by a local court which
refused to extend his three-day police remand, observing that
his further interrogation was not required in the case.

Ahuja's lawyer Srikant Shivade said he might approach
a Sessions Court tomorrow seeking bail for the actor, which
means Ahuja will have to spend a night in central prison at
Arthur Road here.

The prosecution sought police custody of the
35-year-old actor for three more days as they were awaiting
his and the victim's medical and forensic reports.

Ahuja was arrested on June 14 for allegedly raping his
maid at his residence on Sunday in suburban Oshiwara.

The actor complained that he was being handcuffed while
being produced in the court and that it was hurting his hands.
The magistrate warned the police not to do so again.

Ahuja looked happy to see his wife in the court and
whispered to her, "things will be fine".

Police said "the actor's urine and blood samples have
been taken and we need to probe if the actor was under the
influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the incident".

Police, which had earlier stated that the maid was
18 years old, today said she is 20 as per the school
certificate obtained from her native place Roha in nearby
Raigad district.

Prosecutor S S Kasture argued that if the actor tests
positive for drugs or alcohol then police would probe from
where he procured the drugs. He alleged that the actor was not
co-operating during police interrogation.

Shivade submitted that the actor was a teetotaller and
does not consume drugs or alcohol.

Magistrate K R Chaudhary observed that since actor's
urine and blood samples have already been taken and only the
reports are awaited, Ahuja's police custody was not required.

The lawyer alleged that Ahuja was being subjected to
"media trial and police is revealing every aspect of the
investigations to the media."

The actor's lawyer said that the police was on one hand
telling the media that Ahuja had confessed to the alleged
offence while on the other hand they claimed today that Ahuja
was not cooperating.

In all probability, actor might seek bail from a
sessions court tomorrow.

Ahuja's wife Anupama, who was present in court along
with the actor's father, told reporters, "I am very much
relieved and my husband is just one step away from coming back
home."

Meanwhile, National Commission for Women is planning to
send a team to Mumbai to meet the victim. PTI SP
DEP
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