Telugu choreographer Jani Master arrested on sexual assault charges

The captain faces charges under the POCSO Act

After his arrest, Master will be transferred to Hyderabad and tried there, according to information NDTV.

Due to these allegations, he was suspended by the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce and a trade union.

Actor Jhansi, chairman of the House committee investigating the sexual harassment allegations, said the allegations against Master, rape and criminal intimidation, could lead to charges under the stringent Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Alleged victim described years of harassment by his master

The complainant first met Master at an event in 2017 and later accepted a position as his assistant choreographer in 2019.

She claims the sexual assaults occurred later, including an incident at a hotel where she was staying with two other male dancers for a show in Mumbai.

The woman also accuses Master of threatening her with physical violence if she reported the abuse.

Master has not yet commented on these allegations.

Master’s political organization responds to allegations

Master is a member of actor-politician Pawan Kalyan's Jana Sena, an ally of the Telugu Desam Party led by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.

The Jana Sena, also part of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance, has instructed Master not to attend its political events in light of these allegations.

Despite rumors of expulsion from the party, Master confirmed to local media that he would remain a party member and follow the leadership's instructions.

Allegations of sexual harassment rock Kerala film industry

Master's arrest comes amid a wave of allegations of sexual harassment in Kerala's film industry, sparked by a partially redacted report by a justice committee.

Well-known actors and directors such as Nivin Pauly, Jayasurya, Mukesh and Siddique have been accused of assault and/or rape on several occasions.

A special police team set up by the Kerala government is investigating these allegations. The accused have dismissed them all as “baseless”.