Television actor Rohit Chandel, who is currently seen in the Star Plus show Sairab, has been arrested by the Mumbai Police for alleged stalking and harassment of a minor. The action was initiated under the relevant provisions of the Indian Code of Justice (BNS) as well as the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act.
Police officials reveal that Sairab actor Rohit Chandel confessed after being arrested under POCSO Act
According to the complaint filed by the 16-year-old girl, the alleged incident took place on July 5 near her residential building in Mumbai. The complainant alleged that Rohit confronted her, followed her, started an argument, verbally harassed her and later physically attacked her. Based on the complaint, Ghatkopar police detained the actor and registered a case under the POCSO Act. He has been booked under section 115(2) of the Indian Code of Justice (BNS) as well as section 78 of the BNS, which deals with stalking.
According to a report in Times of India, senior police inspector Vitthal Laxman Ardekar of Ghatkopar police station confirmed that the actor was produced in the court after his arrest, following which he was sent to judicial custody. Talking about the case, the police officer said, “He was stalking. He is in judicial custody. It depends on the court how long it will last. Rohit did not deny it. He confessed that he used to visit her. The girl is a minor. They were co-actors. She said he was pressurizing her. He lives in Dahisar, and he would travel to Ghatkopar. Despite her stopping him, he would call her.”
The investigation is currently underway and the police are probing the allegations based on the complaint and other available evidence. At present, no statement has been issued by Rohit Chandel or his representatives regarding the allegations.
The case has attracted the attention of the television industry, especially because it involves a minor and has been registered under the stringent provisions of the POCSO Act. Further developments are expected as the case moves through the legal process. The court will determine the period of judicial custody of the actor while the police continue to investigate the allegations.
