Film producer’s bail plea rejected

Gaurang Doshi, producer of the film, Aankhein, was denied anticipatory bail on Thursday by Judge P V Bavkar. He is accused of “raping” his girlfriend Flora Saini.  

The judge upheld the contention of prosecutor RV Kini that his court had no power to entertain bail plea in a rape case. The judge therefore, granted Doshi time till March 16 to move the Bombay High Court for relief. The  police cannot arrest Doshi till that date.

Kini argued that Doshi had lured Saini to live with him by making false promises. This constituted “rape” in law. Also, Doshi allegedly had a history of subjecting women to abuse. Doshi’s ex-wife had accused him of trying to strangle her.

Kini said the two eye-witnesses to the assault had not yet given their statements to the police. If released on bail, Doshi could influence these witnesses and hamper investigations.

Advocate Harshad Ponda for Doshi denied all allegations. He argued that the allegations raised suspicion as Doshi was initially charged with the lesser offence of assault and later with rape. Kini countered this by explaining that Saini was initially too ill and disturbed to elucidate the facts, he said.

Saini has played the lead role in at least two Hindi and a number of South Indian films. Doshi, then a married man, offered Saini a small role in his film ‘Dewar”. Having already played lead roles, she refused. However their friendship grew over a period and finally tied the knot. Saini alleged that Doshi often assaulted and harassed her mentally.