Jani has been arrested for rape and sexually assaulting a female choreographer for five years.
Published Sep 19, 2024 | 2:09 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 19, 2024 | 5:00 PM
Tollywood choreographer Jani Master
The Cyberabad Special Operations Team (SOT) on Thursday, 19 September, arrested Tollywood choreographer Shaik Jani Basha aka Jani Master in Goa, for rape and sexually assaulting his junior colleague for five years.
Based on the complaint by the female choreographer, the Raiadurgam police, on 15 September, booked Jani under the charges of rape, sexual assault, and criminal intimidation.
Speaking with the South First, DCP Rajendranagar Ch Srinivas confirmed that the choreographer was arrested from Goa, and further information will be provided later.
The police also filed a Zero FIR and later transferred the case to the Narsingi police, as the complainant’s residence fell under the Narisngi jurisdiction.
Noting that the 21-year-old victim was a minor when she was first sexually assaulted, the police added section 5 (l) r/w 6 of the POCSO act to the case against Jani on Wednesday.
According to the press release from the police, after apprehending Jani in Goa, they produced him before the local court and obtained a transit warrant. “The accused is being brought to Hyderabad and he will be produced before the regular court,” the release read.
As per the FIR accessed by South First, the female choreographer stated that she first met Jani Master in 2017 when she was participating in a dance reality show where the latter was a judge.
In 2019, she was contacted by Jani’s team, who offered her a job to join them as an assistant choreographer. The complainant stated that it was during this time that the assaults began, especially on outdoor shoots.
The woman alleged that Jani Master would repeatedly ask her for sexual favours and if refused, he would physically assault her.
Recalling one such incident, the female choreographer said Jani had hit her head on a mirror in the vanity van, injuring her severely.
A National award-winning choreographer, Jani is also a member of the Pawan Kalylan’s JSP. However, the party ordered him to stay away from the party activities in view of the ongoing case.
Meanwhile, Jani has been suspended from both Dancers’ Union and Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce amid the ongoing investigation.
Following a complaint by the female choreographer, the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce held a meeting on 17 September and noted that they formed a committee to enquire into the incident.
Jani won the Best Choreography Award for the song Megham Karukkatha from the 2022 film Thiruchitrambalam at the 70th National Film Awards.
(Edited by Sumavarsha Kandula, with inputs from Raj Rayasam)
