Mumbai: Police book director of OTT web series for allegedly molesting actress during shooting session

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The Malwani police has booked the director and the producer of an OTT web series following allegations of molestation made by a female actress during a shooting session at a bungalow on Madh Island in January.

The incident came to light after the woman filed a written complaint with the Malwani police last week. Following an investigation, the police formally registered a First Information Report (FIR) on Monday.

According to police, the woman had attended an audition for a web series at the Madh Island bungalow in January. Subsequently, the shooting for the series commenced at the location, scheduled to take place over two days. Allegedly, during one of the shooting sessions, the accused, identified as Punit Goyal, reportedly groped the woman under the guise of explaining a scene. The victim informed the police that when the director disclosed the presence of an adult scene in the web series, she refused to participate. However, a few hours later, she was called back by the director, who then proceeded to inappropriately touch her chest and other body parts.

Feeling threatened and fearing for her career, the actress left the scene. Goyal purportedly warned her against disclosing the incident to anyone. Following the ordeal, the woman left the shoot midway and reported the incident to the Malwani police, filing a formal complaint.

An officer from the Malwani police station said, "After conducting an investigation and collecting witness statements, we have filed an FIR against Goyal for molestation and issuing threats to the complainant."