Model files rape, molestation case against photographer, 8 others
A 28-year-old Andheri-based model, who recently sparked controversy after making MeToo allegations, has filed a complaint of rape and molestation with Bandra police against photographer Colston Julian and eight others including son of a known producer, a Bollywood talent manager and a film producer
A 28-year-old Andheri-based model, who recently sparked controversy after making MeToo allegations, has filed a complaint of rape and molestation with Bandra police against photographer Colston Julian and eight others including son of a known producer, a Bollywood talent manager and a film producer.
Mumbai Police spokesperson deputy commissioner of police Chaitanya Siriprolu confirmed the development and said further investigation is on.
The model had, on April 12, written a post on a social media platform, narrating how she was physically and emotionally abused during a work assignment. She also wrote to a senior police officer seeking to file a case against the photographer alleging sexual harassment and physical assault.
Bandra police on May 26 registered a first information report (FIR) in the matter.
Julian did not respond to HT’s calls and messages.
According to police sources, the model in her complaint stated that Julian took advantage of her and allegedly raped her in Bandra between 2014 and 2018 under false pretext.
The photographer had earlier quashed the accusations as “false and spiteful”. In a post on a social media platform, he had written, “Dear all, it has come to my notice that a social media post and news article with entirely false and spiteful accusations, are making certain claims against me. My lawyers are following the official process and are responding to the situation legally.”
Besides Julian, the model has accused eight others of allegedly raping her on different occasions.
The police have registered an FIR against the nine accused under sections 376N (committing rape repeatedly on the same woman), 354 (molestation) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code. Police are further investigating the matter and checking the veracity of the allegations and collecting evidence.