NEW DELHI: A complaint of rape has surfaced against Sajjan Jindal, the managing director of the JSW Group, setting off a wave of shock and concern. Filed at the BKC police station in Mumbai on Wednesday, the complaint was lodged by an actress, alleging that the assault occurred in January 2022 within the penthouse atop the company’s Bandra-Kurla Complex head office.
However, her initial attempts to report the incident were allegedly dismissed by the authorities, compelling her to seek legal intervention to compel the police to take cognizance of her grievance.
The complainant recounted her interactions with Jindal, indicating their initial meeting in October 2021 during an IPL match in Dubai, followed by another encounter at a wedding in Jaipur. Subsequent meetings in Mumbai saw Jindal allegedly crossing boundaries, making unwelcome advances that culminated in the alleged assault.
“We had exchanged numbers and met in Mumbai because he had expressed interest in buying property from my brother who is a real estate consultant in Dubai,” said the complainant. Stating her discomfort with Jindal’s persistent personal and intimate overtures, the actress highlighted instances where he purportedly addressed her inappropriately and expressed romantic inclinations despite being married.
She further said, “He started addressing me as ‘babe’ and ‘baby’, and described all the problems in his marriage when we first met alone, which made me very awkward.” The actress detailed discomforting encounters, such as attempts to kiss her and discussions about physical intimacy, which she unequivocally rebuffed.
The distressing culmination occurred during a business meeting at the company’s headquarters, where the complainant alleged that Jindal disregarded her objections and assaulted her in the penthouse against her will.
Despite the traumatic incident, the actress attempted to sustain a cordial association with Jindal, only to be met with silence and, eventually, her number being blocked. She further alleged that Jindal issued threats before severing communication. “Before blocking my number in June 2022, he threatened me with dire consequences if I approached the police,” she said.
In a bid for justice, she formally approached the BKC police in February 2023. Her repeated pleas went unheeded, prompting her recourse to legal action. The court intervened, directing the BKC police to register the complaint, leading to the booking of Jindal under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including rape, assault, and criminal intimidation.
An official from the BKC police assured ongoing investigations into the distressing allegations, emphasising the gravity of the situation and the need for a comprehensive inquiry to unfold the truth behind these deeply concerning accusations.