Charges framed against singer in rape case

Tiwari was arrested by the Versova police on May 8, 2014 after a woman, allegedly his former girlfriend, filed a complaint saying he raped her repeatedly between October 2012 and December 2013 after promising to marry her, but did not keep the promise

The special women’s court on Saturday framed charges against playback singer Ankit Tiwari in a rape case filed last year. Tiwari, 24, best known for his songs from the movie Aashiqui 2 (2013) has been now charged for rape, inducing the woman for marriage, cheating and criminal intimidation.

Tiwari was arrested by the Versova police on May 8, 2014 after a woman, allegedly his former girlfriend, filed a complaint saying he raped her repeatedly between October 2012 and December 2013 after promising to marry her, but did not keep the promise.

Ankit’s brother Ankur was also arrested for allegedly threatening the woman with dire consequences. The police said the woman had invited Ankit to her sister’s birthday party on July 21, 2013. During the party, the woman claimed Ankit coerced her into consuming liquor, and thereafter sexually assaulted her, promising marriage. In August, he allegedly applied ‘sindoor’ (vermillion) on her forehead in a temple at her residence, as a mark of their marriage. The woman claimed when she objected to a physical relationship, Ankit threatened her of dire consequences.

The singer pleaded not guilty to all the charges. The court will now begin to hear the trial against him.