Television actor Pearl Puri was arrested by the Mumbai Police on Friday for allegedly raping a 5-year-old. Aditi Kadam, session judge, Vasai, remanded him to a 14-day judicial custody on Saturday. Puri has been arrested under Section 376 AB (rape of woman under 12 years of age) of IPC and sections 4,8,12,19 and 21 of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) Act,2012.
According to Sanjay Patil, DCP Zone 2, the victim’s age is below 12 years. The girl’s father had approached Mumbai police initially. Sources also said that the father had recorded the girl’s statement and made a video of it. The same video was submitted to the Mumbai police. Victim’s father had approached Versova Police Station where they filed Zero FIR in the matter. Speaking about the case, Sanjay Patil said, “The incident happened in Naigaon during serial shooting. The set falls under the jurisdiction of Waliv Police Station. Versova police filed zero FIR in the matter and the case was transferred to us. The case is registered under section 375 A and B and sections of the POCSO Act. Medical examination of the girl was done and her statement was recovered under CRPC 164. The accused’s role was found, and therefore we have arrested him. The victim identified the accused as a character name in the serial.”
In a clip of the press conference was posted on Twitter on Saturday (June 5), the DCP revealed that there is proof and testimony from the victim to prove the rape charges, refuting Ekta Kapoor’s claims. In the video, the DCP said that there was an official complaint filed by the girl’s father and authorities at Waliv police station registered the case under the The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
The Comissioner of Police stated that there was a medical examination conducted, victim’s statement taken and booked the actor based on these grounds. He claimed that the victim’s mother used to work on the sets of the TV show and hence, the victim would accompany her which is how Pearl V Puri and the victim met.
A Twitter demanded Ekta Kapoor and Karishma Tanna’s arrest. He wrote, “Put ekta kapoor and Karishma Tanna behind the bars One is using her power to influence the case and other is using her power in leaking the details of the victim Both are SHAMELESS JUSTICE OVER CELEB PRIVILEGE”
Another user wrote, “I’m just laughing on so called Fans/ PR trends who have already given PVP an innocent tag. And ppls r supporting such things blindly saying I know he is innocent.. Broo.. were u there on crime spot or r u a close frd of him ? JUSTICE OVER CELEB PRIVILEGE”
Another Twitter user shared Ekta Kapoor’s tweet on #MeToo and called her hypocrite for not standing with the victim. Calling the TV celebs cowards for blindly supporting Ekta Kapoor, a Twitter wrote, “These bunch of celebs who have liked Ekta Kapoor’s last post are no less than COWARDS! Instead of staying neutral, waiting n letting the truth come out, they jumped into a conclusion where they think “their friend can’t do such stuffs”! JUSTICE OVER CELEB PRIVILEGE.”
Pearl V Puri made his acting debut in 2013 with Dil Ki Nazar Se Khoobsurat and rose to fame with Phir Bhi Na Maane…Badtameez Dil. He was later seen on shows like Naagin 3, Naagarjuna Ek Yoddha and Bepanah Pyaar. His latest stint on TV was Brahmarakshas 2 where he played Angad Mehra.
