Relief for Shiney Ahuja, maid denies rape

Relief for Shiney Ahuja, maid denies rape

More than a year after Shiney Ahuja was accused of raping his housemaid; the latter has reportedly told the court that the actor “never” raped her.

The 20-year-old domestic help has told a fast-track court that she had framed false charges against Shiney on the instructions of the woman who got her the job with the Ahujas, reports a news channel.

"On 3 September (2010), the victim identified Shiney in the court and said she used to work at his residence as a domestic help. But when asked about the incident she said it never happened and that she was never raped," public prosecutor Kashinath Dighe said.

Shiney Ahuja was arrested on 14 June, 2009 after the woman accused the actor of forcing himself on her and threatening her against speaking out about the incident. The actor had had to spend about three months in prison before getting a bail on 1 October, 2009.

However, the prosecution will continue presenting other evidence including the statements of 12 other witnesses, forensic reports and other documentary evidence, as per reports.

The court has scheduled the next hearing on Shiney’s case for 15 September, 2010 and Ahuja can still be convicted based on other evidence. Also, the maid faces the threat of being prosecuted for perjury if her latest statement turns out to be false.