Decks cleared for Shiney Ahuja's trial in rape case

Ahuja, 36, has been charged with raping his 20-year-old domestic help at his Oshiwara residence on June 15 last year.

The court in Sewri on Thursday framed charges against the actor under IPC sections 376 (rape), 341 (wrongful restraint) and 506 (criminal intimidation).
The actor pleaded not guilty to the charges and said he was ready to face the trial.
The prosecution has been asked to file a list of witnesses and documents on the basis of which it will argue its case on March 6.

Earlier, the Bombay High Court had stayed the framing of charges as the actor had asked for copies of documents and forensic reports. Now that the copies have been given to him, the trial is all set to begin.

The actor was arrested on June 15 last year after his maid servant lodged a police complaint alleging rape.

Ahuja had denied the charges and taken a stand that at the most the act could be termed as a consensual sex but not rape.

In August last year, Oshiwara police filed a 109-line page chargesheet that included statement of the complainant, forensic reports and other documents.

The case was committed to a fast track court on August 27 after Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan said a special court would be set up to try the case faster.

Ahuja's bail was rejected by the trial court following which he moved the High Court which granted him liberty subject to condition that he would remain in Delhi to avoid coming in contact with witnesses.