Police have arrested film director Shakeel Noorani in connection with allegations of sexual assault and blackmail after a 33-year-old actress filed a formal complaint. Known for directing films such as Bade Dilwala and Joru Ka Ghulam, Noorani was taken into custody from a location in Satara and produced before a magistrate, who remanded him to police custody until August 12.
Initial Encounter and Alleged Drugging Incident
According to the official complaint, the events trace back to 2016 when the actress met Shakeel Noorani at an awards ceremony in Lokhandwala. The director allegedly promised her a prominent role in an upcoming major film project and invited her to his residence in Malad West's Malad Malwani area to discuss the script. During the meeting at his home, the complainant alleges that her drink was spiked with a substance that rendered her unconscious.
Allegations of Video Blackmail and Ongoing Harassment
The victim stated that upon regaining consciousness, the 73-year-old director showed her an explicit video recorded without her consent and threatened to circulate it publicly if she reported the matter to law enforcement or her family. The FIR notes that Noorani used the recording to repeatedly exploit and harass the actress over an extended period. The complaint further alleges that she was forcibly compelled to ingest contraceptive pills.
Police Operation at Satara Farmhouse
Following the registration of the FIR, officers from the Malwani police station initiated a search for Noorani. Location tracking led investigators to a farmhouse situated in the Medha region of Satara district. A team from Mumbai Police, with support from local Medha police officials, conducted a raid and apprehended the director at the property. Noorani was subsequently presented at the Borivali Holiday Court, where the presiding judge granted police custody through August 12 to facilitate a comprehensive investigation.
