Teen actor’s molestation: Accused’s starts signature drive in Mumbai, 400 vouch for him

Sachdev is now in judicial custody; his bail plea will come up for hearing on Monday

Family members of Vikas Sachdev, 39, the man accused of molesting a 17-year-old national award-winning actor on a Delhi-Mumbai flight last Saturday, have started a signature campaign after his arrest on Sunday to garner support for him while he waits for the sessions court to hear his bail plea.

The teenager, who has starred in a Bollywood blockbuster, was visibly shaken in a video she posted on Instagram narrating her ordeal. (Picture for representation)

Sachdev’s brother-in-law, Atul Batra, told HT on Friday, “We are running a signature campaign in his support. So far, 400 people have signed it, vouching that he is innocent and could never commit such an act. We have also started a Facebook page which has received 750 comments and likes. We will consult our lawyer and find out if this will help him get bail.”

On Tuesday, after spending two days in police custody, Sachdev was remanded in judicial custody. His bail plea was to come up on Friday, but the sessions court judge was not present so the plea will be heard on Monday.

“The whole experience has been excruciating for him and his family,” said Batra.

Sachdev works as an executive in a private firm, and lives with his wife and nine-year-old son in Chandivli. His wife, Divya, said he had been falsely implicated. “My family and I are going through a lot of trauma. My husband is innocent. We have full trust in the judiciary and know we will get justice,” she said.