The cell also withdrew the invitation extended to Jani to attend the National Film Award ceremony scheduled to be held in New Delhi on 8 October.
Published Oct 06, 2024 | 9:43 AM ⚊ Updated Oct 06, 2024 | 9:43 AM
Tollywood choreographer Jani Master
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting cancelled the decision to award Shaik Jani Basha, alias Jani Master, the National Film Award for Best Choreography for 2022.
The decision was made in the wake of the sexaul assault case against him registered with the Cyberabad police in Telangana.
In a letter dated Friday, 4 October, National Film Awards Cell Deputy Director Indrani Bose said: “In view of the seriousness of the allegation and the matter being subjudice, the Competent Authority has decided to suspend the National Film Award of the Best Choreography for the Year 2022 to Shri Shaik Jani Basha for the film Thiruchitrambalam until further orders.”
The cell also withdrew the invitation extended to Jani to attend the National Film Award ceremony scheduled to be held in New Delhi on 8 October.
“The letter from the National Film Awards Cell dated 21.8.24 and, thereafter, on 12.9.24 to attend National Film Award function for the year 2022 had been extended to Shri Shaik Jani Basha before the allegations of crime under POCSO Act [Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act] came to light,” Bose said.
“Hence, the invitation extended to Shri Shaik Jani Basha for the 70th National Film Awards Function to be held at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi on 8.10.24 is hereby withdrawn,” she added.
Jani was given interim bail this week so that he could attend the National Film Awards ceremony.
He was arrested by the Cyberabad police from Goa on 19 September in a POCSO and rape case, after a junior colleague of his filed a complaint against him on 15 September.
He was booked under clause (2) and (n) of section 376 (rape), criminal intimidation (506) and voluntarily causing hurt (323) of the IPC. However, after it was found out that the victim was a minor at the time of the assault, the police added section 5 (l) r/w 6 of the POCSO Act.
After the arrest, Jani was produced in the local court, and sent to custody in Chanchalguda jail. His remand was till 3 October.
According to the FIR, the survivor first met Jani Master in 2017 during a dance reality show where he was a judge. Two years later, she was offered a job as his assistant, and the abuse allegedly began soon after.
The complainant alleged instances of sexual assault, both verbal and physical coercion. She also accused the popular choreographer of threatening her career prospects in the industry if she refused his advances.
The case took a critical turn when it was revealed that the survivor was a minor when the abuse began. This led to the inclusion of sections of the POCSO Act in the charges against Jani.
On 3 October, a court had granted him interom bail from 6 to 10 October. The court had asked him to surrender before it on 10 October, at 10 am.
Jani was granted bail on the condition that he will not apply for another interim bail while out, and also not speak to the media. He was also asked to submit two sureties of ₹2 lakh each.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil)
