Last night, TV actor Pearl V Puri, known for his roles in ‘Naagin 3’, ‘Phir Bhi Na Maane Badtameez Dil’ and ‘Bepanah Pyaar,’ was arrested by the Mumbai and Waliv police for allegedly raping a minor girl, reports NDTV.
According to The Indian Express, a case was filed by the victim’s father in 2019 and the 31-year-old has been booked under Sections 376 AB (Punishment for rape on woman under 12 years of age) of the Indian Penal Code, and Sections 4, 8, 12, 19 and 21 under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.
Sanjay Patil, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Zone of Mira Bhayandar, Vasai, was quoted saying,
“The victim identified the accused recently, and after recording her statement, the accused has been arrested. After the identification of the accused, we have taken him into custody for further investigation.”
India Today reports that after being produced in a local court, the actor was sent to 14-day judicial custody. TOI quoted Sanjay Patil confirming,
“Puri has been sent to judicial custody for 14 days and he has not been granted bail.”
This is a distressing turn of events. We hope that the truth comes to the forefront and justice is served.