A serious allegation has come to light stalwart Production designer Saini S Johare gave this information after Chandigarh Police registered an FIR following a sexual harassment complaint filed by a woman associated with the film’s art department.
Case registered against ace production designer Saini S Johre after sexual harassment complaint: Report
According to a report in India Today, the FIR was lodged at Chandigarh’s Sector-17 police station after the complainant, a New Delhi resident, submitted a written complaint on April 20. After preliminary investigation, the police registered a case against Johre under sections 74, 79, 123 and 126 (2) of the Indian Code of Justice (BNS).
According to police records, the complainant alleged that Johare called him to a room at the Taj Hotel in Chandigarh on the pretext of a professional discussion. She accused him of sexual harassment, physical assault, wrongful confinement and allegedly forcing her to drink beverages laced with intoxicants.
The complaint states that the woman was studying in a government college when a faculty member sent her biodata stalwart Team. He was later appointed as assistant art director on September 2, 2025.
According to the complaint, Johre introduced himself as her mentor and claimed to be an alumnus of Delhi College of Art, which helped her build trust in him professionally. The woman alleged that within days of joining the project, she was invited to a room at the Taj Hotel in Sector 17 on September 10, 2025, for what she believed would be a team meeting. However, upon reaching the location, he reportedly realized that no other crew members had been invited.
The complainant further alleged that Johre repeatedly asked her not to inform others about the meeting, allegedly warning her that doing so could affect her professional reputation.
In her statement, the woman claimed that she reached the hotel around 8:30 pm and was allegedly pressured to drink alcohol. She said that Johar prepared a drink containing wine and rum and insisted on her finishing it despite her reluctance.
According to the complaint, shortly after drinking the drink, he started feeling dizzy. “Although she repeatedly expressed her desire to leave, she alleged that Johar prevented her from doing so,” the report said.
The woman also alleged that Johre behaved inappropriately when he offered to teach her Bachata dance. She claimed that he forcibly pulled her close to him and made unwanted physical advances.
According to the complaint, his condition deteriorated rapidly and he vomited several times over the next 20 to 30 minutes. He further alleged that despite repeatedly asking him to leave, he was not allowed to leave the hotel room.
The complainant further accused Johar of entering the bathroom and touching her inappropriately even when she was unwell. She also alleged that he later forced her to lie down on the bed and forced her to stay in the hotel overnight.
According to her statement, she was physically weak, scared and unable to resist. The woman claimed that she remained in severe mental distress the entire night before leaving the hotel the next morning and returning home via bike taxi.
The complaint also accused Johar of harassing her by allegedly filing complaints against her, which she claims caused her further mental distress.
Police investigation in the matter is currently ongoing. Authorities have clarified that the allegations mentioned in the FIR represent the complainant’s version of events. Meanwhile, the accused has reportedly been granted bail as the legal proceedings continue.
Saini S Johre recently gained attention for designing a large-scale replica of Pakistan’s Lyari Town in Thailand stalwart.
