Special Correspondent | Gondia:
Renowned actor Vijay Sukhwinder Singh Raaz (51) has been acquitted by a Gondia court of all charges in a sexual harassment case filed against him during the filming of the Vidya Balan-starrer ‘Sherni’ in 2020. The verdict comes as a major relief for the actor after a legal battle lasting over four and a half years.
The incident dates back to October 2020, when Vijay Raaz was in Gondia, Maharashtra, for the shooting of the film Sherni. A female crew member — an assistant manager with the film’s unit — filed a complaint at Ramnagar Police Station, alleging that Raaz had sexually harassed her on multiple occasions during the shoot.
According to the complaint, the alleged harassment took place at multiple locations, including a hotel in Gondia and during outdoor shoots in Balaghat district (Madhya Pradesh). Specific incidents included touching her shoulder, inappropriate remarks, and allegedly removing her face mask multiple times during the shoot despite her objections. The victim also claimed Raaz made comments about her hair in a way that made her feel uncomfortable and humiliated.
Following the complaint, Vijay Raaz was arrested by the police but was later released on bail. The matter proceeded to the Gondia court, where it remained under trial for over four years.
During the final hearing, Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Mahendra Sote ruled that the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence to support the allegations. The court, therefore, dismissed all charges against Raaz under Sections 354(A) and 354(D) of the Indian Penal Code, which pertain to sexual harassment and stalking.
The acquittal marks the end of a prolonged legal ordeal for Vijay Raaz, who has been a prominent figure in Hindi cinema, known for his roles in Run, Delhi Belly, Gully Boy, and many more. His involvement in Sherni, a socially charged film dealing with human-animal conflict, was widely appreciated at the time.
While the verdict brings legal closure for the actor, it also reignites debates around due process, workplace conduct in the film industry, and the long timelines involved in securing justice for both the accused and the complaina
