Shruti Haasan files FIR against stalker

Actor Shruti Haasan lodged a first information report (FIR) with Bandra police late on Thursday night for molestation and criminal trespass against an unidentified man. On Tuesday morning, the accused allegedly tried to enter the 27-year-old's Bandra residence. No arrests have been made in the case so far. Police have recovered some CCTV footage from the area, and are searching for the miscreant.

The accused was caught on the CCTV footage outside Shruti Haasan's house

According to police officials, around 9.30 am on Tuesday when Shruti answered the doorbell of her sixth floor apartment, the man allegedly tried to barge into her house. He asked her, "Why don't you remember me?" Shocked and terrified, Shruti tried to close the door, but the hands of the accused were caught in the gap.

Eventually, she managed to push him away and lock the door. The actor was alone at her residence at the time. Badly shaken up by the incident, Shruti moved out of the house and intends to come back only after the matter is settled and she feels secure.

Copspeak
Speaking to MiD DAY, a senior officer from Bandra police station said, "We have registered the case under sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 452 (house trespass, after preparation for hurt, assault or wrongful restraint) of IPC, and have also obtained some CCTV footage."

The policeman added, "The accused can be clearly seen in the video. We are trying to identify him and further investigations are on. He entered his name in the building's visitor's diary as ‘Ashok', but this may be an assumed name. In the footage, the accused appears to be a middle-aged man and is seen wearing a jacket."

Won't give up
Cops say the same man was earlier spotted on Shruti's film sets at Mehboob Studio and Film City. He even tried to enter her van, but crewmembers drove him away. He, allegedly, also attempted to approach her once, when she was getting into her car.u00a0