08 May,2015 07:08 PM IST | | PTI
Renowned Bollywood choreographer Shiamak Davar has been sued by two of his former Indo-Canadian dance students for allegedly sexually abusing them
Renowned Bollywood choreographer Shiamak Davar has been sued by two of his ex-dance students in Canada of allegedly sexually abusing them
Toronto: Bollywood choreographer Shiamak Davar has been sued in a Canadian court by two former dance students, alleging that he sexually harassed them. The dance instructor has dismissed the allegations.
Percy Shroff (40) and Jimmy Mistry (33), both Canada-based men, have filed two lawsuits in the British Columbia Supreme Court alleging Davar of being sexually abusive. The duo has accused Davar of using his enormous clout to ask for sexual favours when they were a part of a spiritual sect called VRRP Spiritual Learning group, of which Davar is also a part.
VRRP Spiritual Learning Group was founded by Khorshed Bhavnagri, a Mumbai-based woman. After she lost her sons in a road accident, Bhavnagri claimed she started communicating with them through a process called "automatic writing".
Renowned Bollywood choreographer Shiamak Davar
Nan Umrigar, a former Mumbai-based and now Pune-based writer, who lost her jockey son Karl in a racing accident years ago, also claimed to have communicated with him through this method. Saying she was inspired by the Bhavnagris, she said, "Shiamak Davar, too, was inspired by them. I have not had much contact with Shiamak lately, but I once did go to a meeting, where he spoke about his spiritual life."
The other side
Davar dismissed the allegations. Speaking through his Mumbai spokesperson, he said, "I am shocked by these allegations and deny them completely. I will not be intimidated into silence and will defend myself vigorously in court. Even though I am extremely anxious to speak the truth, I have been advised not to do so publicly by my lawyer, David Crossin, as this matter is now before the court.
"I would also like to say that it is a privilege and honour for me to continue the work of my spiritual teacher, Khorshed Bhavnagri. It is my position, as filed in my response, that these claims are being made by former members of VRRP Spiritual Learning to simply smear Mrs Bhavnagri's good name. I would like the members of VRRP Spiritual Learning to rest assured that I will continue to serve the book and its teachings.
"I have total faith in the justice system of British Columbia that my name shall be cleared on all accounts," he added. (Read full report below)
