Country's leading businessman Sajjan Jindal, chairman and managing director of JSW Group, has been booked by Mumbai Police for allegedly raping a woman.
The FIR has been lodged following order from Bombay High Court.
The police has registered case under IPC 376 (rape), IPC 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), and IPC 503 (criminal intimidation).
A Mumbai based 30-year old doctor has accused Jindal of rape of her on January 24, 2022 at a penthouse in Jindal's offices in BKC. Jindal, however, said that all the allegations are baseless and he will cooperate in the investigations.
According to FIR, the woman claims to have met Sajjan Jindal, 64, for the first time on October 8, 2021 in Dubai where they allegedly exchanged phone numbers and met in Mumbai as Jindal was interested in buying property from the her brother, who was a property consultant in Dubai.
The woman alleged that Jindal tried to make sexual advances towards her during several meetings with him between October 2021 and January 2022 in various cities. . Days later, she allegedly met Jindal with her brother in Jaipur. She alleged, as per the FIR, that Jindal was getting very friendly with her during this time. But the woman claims to have always declined it.
Later in January 24, 2022, the woman alleged that Jindal raped her when she had a meeting with him at the penthouse of a building in BKC which houses Jindal's offices.
The $23 billion JSW group has business interest in Rajasthan also. It has lignite mining operation and a lignite based power plant in Barmer. It also has interest in renewable energy sector in Rajasthan.
Why delay in lodging FIR?
The woman claimed that she had approached police to file FIR on February 16, 2023, more than a year after the incident, but she alleged that police didn't file proper complaint.
Meanwhile, she claimed that Jindal's representatives approached her for compromise and forced her to settle the matter.
Finally on December 5, 2023, the woman said that she filed a writ petition against the Mumbai police in Bombay High Court which directed police to register FIR against Jindal.
The police said that it is investigating the matter and following all procedures. However, according to sources, Sajjan Jindal is yet to be questioned.
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