Slumdog Millionare Actor Granted Pre-Arrest Bail In Sexual Assault Case

Additional Sessions Judge Sonali Aggarwal granted the actor pre-arrest bail on the execution of a surety of Rs. 15,000 and PR Bond of the same amount. The court has directed him not to threaten or cause any injury to the informant.

The Khar police had booked Mittal under IPC sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 354A (sexual harassment), 354B (use of criminal force to disrobe a woman), 354(D) (stalking) and 509 (words or gestures intending to insult the modesty of any woman).

Mittal approached the court through his lawyer Saveena Bedi of Lawhive Associates. She submitted that Mittal had no criminal cases pending against him. "She (Victim) goes for a medical after three days. She has telephoned me after the alleged incident. Just because she provides four photographs of dark circles and torn lips, can that become an injury?" Bedi had argued.

In his application, Mittal invoked his success as an actor. "The applicant is a well know actor and was seen in shows such as Slumdog Millionaire, Boogie Woogie whereas the informant is a model and struggling actor," his application reads.

Mittal states that he was in a steady relationship with the victim who broke up with him after he fell asleep on a video call. Mittal claimed that on the day of the alleged incident, on February 13, he called the complainant from below her house and went up only after she agreed. He denied beating her up or touching her without her consent.

He claimed, he met with an accident some time ago due to which he has artificial incisors, with no sensation in them. "Due to this, the applicant does not realise if small cuts are caused on others lips while kissing," his application stated.

Mittal has also accused the victim of being religiously biased and trying to convert him. The prosecution objected to the plea and claimed the actor was constantly harassing the complainant.

During the anticipatory bail hearing, prosecutor Meera Choudhry argued that Mittal has admitted his presence at the scene of the offence on February 13, 2021. "They have admitted everything except that he beat her up," she said.

Choudhry submitted that even after the break-up Mittal kept harassing the complainant. "She informed her flatmate, who asked her to approach the police, but she went to a friend's house, instead," Choudhry argued.

On February 15, Mittal allegedly came below the victim's house again but left after her lawyer Niranjani Shetty threatened to call 104, the woman's helpline number, Choudhry said.

She added that the victim was hurt under the eye and lip, and took treatment from Holy Family Hospital for her injuries on February 16.