Mumbai:
National Award winning director, Madhur Bhandarkar has said he will challenge the order of a Mumbai court in which he will be tried for charges of rape and threat in a case filed against him by starlet Preeti Jain in 2009.
"I would like to state here after reading the judgment that we will challenge this order in higher courts and seek justice," he said.
The director said he is confident of proving his innocence and his lawyer would exercise all legal options to do so.
"I have full faith and respect for the judiciary and I am confident of proving myself innocent," he said.
Earlier today, the lower court rejected a police report that there is no evidence against the director and ordered that trial continue in the case. The judge asked Bhandarkar to be present in court on October 18.
Madhur can apply for anticipatory bail in the Mumbai Sessions Court.
The complainant, aspiring actress Preeti Jain, had moved an Andheri court in 2009, alleging that she was repeatedly raped by the director in 2004. The allegations had drawn instant controversy, with Madhur stoutly denying the charge.
The same year, the local police submitted its summary report stating that there was no evidence of rape against the director. The trial was stayed and Preeti Jain moved the Mumbai court against that order.
Preeti Jain was also in the news when she was detained for leading a protest against rape accused actor Shiney Ahuja in 2009.
"I would like to state here after reading the judgment that we will challenge this order in higher courts and seek justice," he said.
The director said he is confident of proving his innocence and his lawyer would exercise all legal options to do so.
"I have full faith and respect for the judiciary and I am confident of proving myself innocent," he said.
Earlier today, the lower court rejected a police report that there is no evidence against the director and ordered that trial continue in the case. The judge asked Bhandarkar to be present in court on October 18.
Madhur can apply for anticipatory bail in the Mumbai Sessions Court.
The complainant, aspiring actress Preeti Jain, had moved an Andheri court in 2009, alleging that she was repeatedly raped by the director in 2004. The allegations had drawn instant controversy, with Madhur stoutly denying the charge.
The same year, the local police submitted its summary report stating that there was no evidence of rape against the director. The trial was stayed and Preeti Jain moved the Mumbai court against that order.
Preeti Jain was also in the news when she was detained for leading a protest against rape accused actor Shiney Ahuja in 2009.
