Choreographer Jani Master granted bail in sexual assault case

HYDERABAD: Prominent choreographer Jani Master, who was facing sexual assault allegations, has been granted bail by the court, offering him temporary relief.

A female choreographer had lodged a complaint, accusing Jani Master of sexually assaulting her. Following the complaint, Narsingi police arrested him on September 16, filing charges under Sections 376, 506, and 323 of the IPC.

Jani Master had been held in Chanchalguda Jail under remand. He was previously granted interim bail from November 6 to 9 for attending the National Film Awards ceremony but returned to jail after the bail period ended. His petition for regular bail was initially rejected by the POCSO court on November 14. However, in the latest development, the judge approved his bail request, and Jani Master is expected to be released from Chanchalguda Jail on Thursday evening.

The complaint dates back to 2017, when the female dancer first met Jani Master during a TV show. She alleged that Jani Master had been sexually harassing her since then, and claimed he assaulted her in a Mumbai hotel. In her complaint, she further alleged that he pressured her to convert to his religion and threatened to block her career opportunities if she refused. The police recorded her statement at her home and are continuing the investigation.