Television actor Ashish Kapoor has been arrested in Pune on charges of rape after a woman accused him of sexually assaulting her during a house party in Delhi earlier in August, police confirmed on Wednesday.
DCP (North) Raja Banthia said the case was registered in Delhi after the woman’s complaint, following which teams tracked Kapoor’s movements across states. Police said Kapoor travelled first to Goa and later to Pune, where he was arrested.
Complaint And Changing Statements
In Aug, a 24-year-old woman, who works for a private company and lives in Delhi’s Punjabi Bagh, accused a group of people of drugging and gang-raping her at a party. The group allegedly mixed a narcotic substance in her drink, due to which she lost her consciousness and was then allegedly gang-raped.
According to police, the complainant initially alleged that Kapoor, his friend who hosted the party, and two unidentified men had sexually assaulted her, while a woman physically attacked her. She also claimed that the entire incident was filmed by the accused, who also threatened her to upload the film online if she complained about it.
However, later, the woman stated that it was Kapoor alone who raped her. Officers said the case, which was initially registered as gangrape, will now be converted to rape in due course.
The woman also alleged that the incident was videographed, but investigators said no such footage has been recovered so far. Police said Kapoor had first connected with the complainant on Instagram before inviting her to the house party where the alleged incident took place.
On August 11, an FIR was filed against Kapoor, his friend, his friend’s wife, and two unknown men. On August 18, the complainant revised her statement, alleging that Kapoor and his friend raped her while the woman attacked her.
Investigation And Court Proceedings
On August 21, Kapoor’s friend and his wife applied for anticipatory bail, which was granted. The complainant was present during the hearing but did not include the friend’s name in her submissions, police said.
Investigating officers noted that CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts confirmed that Kapoor and the woman entered the washroom together during the party and did not emerge for some time. Concerned, other guests and the host began knocking on the door.
A heated argument later broke out between the parties, which continued till the gate of the society. Police added that it was the wife who eventually made the PCR call reporting the matter.
Officials said legal procedures are being followed, and Kapoor will face charges under rape provisions. The investigation remains ongoing.
