Jani Master Arrested on Rape and POCSO Charges

Choreographer Jani Master, also known as Shaik Jani Basha, was apprehended by a special team from Hyderabad in Bengaluru and is currently being transported back to Hyderabad to face legal proceedings, likely at the Upparpalli Court. His arrest follows a complaint filed by a 21-year-old woman, formerly his assistant choreographer, accusing Jani Master of multiple instances of rape. The initial complaint was lodged at Rayadurgam Police Station, leading to a Zero FIR that was later transferred to Narsingi Police Station. Jani Master now faces charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

In response to these serious allegations, Jani Master has been suspended from the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce (TFCC) and relieved of his duties as president of the Telugu Film & TV Dance Directors Association. The TFCC has launched an internal committee to thoroughly investigate the accusations before making any final decisions.

The allegations date back to when the woman first met Jani Master at an event in 2017. Two years later, she accepted a job offer from him, after which she claims the sexual assaults occurred. One incident allegedly took place at a Mumbai hotel where Jani Master, the woman, and two male dancers were staying during a show.

Aside from the accusations of sexual assault, the woman alleges that Jani Master threatened her with physical violence if she reported the abuse and subjected her to mental harassment during photoshoots and rehearsals. She also accuses him of pressuring her to convert to his religion and marry him, despite his existing marriage. Additionally, she claims that both Jani Master and his wife once entered her room and physically assaulted her.

The suspensions from TFCC and the Dance Directors Association are part of ongoing investigations into the allegations against Jani Master, highlighting the seriousness of the accusations and the legal proceedings underway.