Snooker, billiards champ Rayaan Razmi gets bail in molestation case

Rayaan Razmi. Pic/Facebook

National snooker and billiards champion Rayaan Razmi, 20, has been granted anticipatory bail in a molestation case by the sessions court.

The complainant alleged that Razmi touched her inappropriately inside Islam Gymkhana last month.

The court observed that there was a delay in filing the FIR, stating, "The say of the prosecution reveals that spot panchnama is already prepared. The statements of witnesses who were present on the spot have already been recorded. The prosecution has not prayed for custodial interrogation of the applicant for any purpose."

Razmi's lawyer said his client was being made a scapegoat due to an upcoming election in South Mumbai's iconic Islam Gymkhana.

The complainant stated that on October 21, the day of the alleged incident, she exercised from 4 pm to 5 pm in the gymkhana after which she headed to the spa room as she wanted to use the Jacuzzi facility.

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She stated that she then called the reception desk and one Heena Shaikh picked up and told her that the time slot for women to use the spa had ended. The complainant then informed Heena that she had already informed a staffer named Gauri Chauhan about her intent to use the facility. She then reentered the gym, packed her belongings and went to the changing room where she waited for Chauhan. According to the complainant, as no one had arrived, she called her father, who is also a member of the establishment, at 5.45 pm, and told him she wanted to make a complaint as the staff was not being helpful.

The complainant alleged that after hanging up, when she was changing her clothes, Noorul Amin Shaikh, the general secretary of Islam Gymkhana, entered the room and he pushed her on the chest, used foul language and threatened her. She also stated that by then, people had gathered and Shaikh outside. She further stated that this was when Razmi appeared and pushed her on her shoulder and abused her.

The complainant's father later arrived at the gymkhana later that evening, and an FIR was subsequently registered against the sportsman and Shaikh on October 23. Razmi then filed for anticipatory bail before the sessions court, alleging that he had been framed.

The gymkhana, however, wrote a complaint to the authorities on October 21 itself, alleging that the complainant misbehaved with the staff and was leaving the spa room. The complaint read, "At that time nobody touched her. Nobody entered the spa room before her father came except Mrs Heena Shaikh and Mrs Gauri Chauhan and nobody has done anything. Her father, therefore, met the president, advocate Yusuf Abrahani, in his chamber and apologized on her behalf and assured him that henceforth she would not behave in such a manner. Mr Abrahani told her father that we had been receiving various complaints against her but till this day had not taken any action as it appears that she is a bit abnormal. He was also warned that if she continues behaving in such a way, we will take action under provisions 18 and 19 of the constitution."

Advocate Sunil Pandey, who represents Razmi, said, "My client is being falsely framed in the case ahead of the elections in Islam Gymkhana. He is a national player in snooker and billiards and represents the country. He has deep roots in society. The court has seen the CCTV footage and granted anticipatory bail. Before the FIR was filed, the Islam Gymkhana had already complained to Marine Drive police about the incident."

Vishwanath Kolekar, senior police inspector, Marine Drive police station, told mid-day, "The matter is being investigated and summons have been issued to both accused to record their statement."

21
The day in October when the alleged incident occurred