JOIN USThe 20-year-old maid told the court specially set up to try the case against the actor. She told the court last week that the police complaint against Shiney was at the behest of a woman who got her the job with the Ahujas.
The maid had lodged an FIR in June last year alleging that she was raped while they were alone at the actor’s flat.
The public prosecutor Kashinath Dighe confirmed the development and said the court has declared the victim as a “hostile witness”, but the trial will continue. However, in view of certain restrictions given the sensitive nature of the case, Dighe declined to go into details.
“On September 3, the victim identified Shiney in the court and said she used to work at his residence as a domestic help. But when asked about the incident she said it never happened and that she was never raped,” Dighe said.
Shiney was accused of raping his domestic help at his Andheri West home June 14, 2009. He was arrested and spent 110 days in police and judicial custody in various jails before the Bombay High Court granted him bail on surety of Rs 50,000.
Legal experts say that if the maid was found to have lied before the court, she could be liable for perjury and face appropriate action. The next hearing is scheduled for September 15.
The prosecution will continue presenting other evidences including the statements of 12 other witnesses, forensic reports and other documentary evidence, Dighe said.