Mumbai police file rape FIR against Shyam S Bhartia, he calls allegations ‘baseless, false, disparaging’

In a statement issued to the Bombay Stock Exchange, Jubilant Foodworks said, “In reference to media reports about the registration of an FIR by the police, the company has received a statement from Mr Shyam S Bhartia, Chairman, Jubilant Bhartia Group, in his personal capacity, where he denies all the allegations as they are baseless, false and disparaging, and made with clear mala fide intent against him. The order of the hon’ble High Court of Bombay, downloaded from the court’s website, specifically states that the police shall investigate the case on its own merits. The court has also made it clear in the said order that they have not dwelled on the merits of the complaint in any manner whatsoever. As a respectable citizen, Mr Bhartia would fully cooperate with the investigation agency as and when called upon to do so. As the investigation in this matter is ongoing, no additional comments can be made at this stage. He has further requested that the privacy of the family be respected. The company confirms that the said news reports have no material impact on the company or its operations.”

On February 18, the police informed the court it would comply with its orders, following which the FIR was registered on February 22.

After the police assured the court that the FIR would be registered, the petition was disposed of, and the court said, “Nothing survives for further consideration in the petition… Needless to state that the police shall investigate the case on its own merit in accordance with law. We make it clear that we have not gone into the merits of the complaint made by the petitioner.”

According to the FIR, the woman, an aspiring actor in her 30s, had approached the other accused, Puja Kanwaljit Singh, who allegedly promised to introduce her to people who could get her a break in the industry.

According to the FIR, the complainant alleged that on May 3, 2023, she was introduced to Bhartia at a five-star hotel in Santacruz.

According to the FIR, the complainant alleged that “Bhartia told her to come to Singapore with him and passed on his card details to her to book tickets”.

According to the FIR, she alleged that she went with Singh to Singapore on May 19 that year, and Bhartiya took them to a house where they consumed alcohol. As per the FIR, she alleged that she was forced to drink alcohol, after which Bhartia forced himself on her while Puja recorded the incident on her phone. As per the FIR, the woman claimed they threatened to make the video public if she told anyone.
As per the FIR, the woman alleged she was again raped in Andheri and Thane on June 26, 2023, and October 14, 2023.