Friday, the Mumbai Police arrested television actor Pearl V Puri on the complaint of the victim’s father for allegedly raping a 5-year-old minor during a shooting under the POCSO Act. The actor has been arrested after nearly one and year after the said incident.
It is alleged that the incident happened during a shooting in October 19. During the shoot, the victim and her mother was also there on the set. After few hours of the arrest of the television actor Pearl V Puri, many celebs including Aly Goni, Nia Sharma, Karishma Tanna and Supernatural show Naagin 3 team lended support to the actor.
Puri has been booked with IPC ‘Section 376 AB’ and sections 4,8,12,19 and 21 of ‘Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012’ (POCSO) Act.
“The victim and her mother, who is also a television actor, were on the set. The minor’s mother learned about the incident after the child complained of abdomen pain. Her father, who had worked with Puri, filed a complaint at the Versova police station. The case was transferred to Waliv police and after the probe, it was found that Puri had a role in the incident. He was called to Waliv police station on Friday and was arrested, Sanjaykumar Patil, DCP, Mira Bhayander Vasai Virar (MBVV) Commmissionerate said.”, as published by Hindustan Times
The actor’s supernatural show Naagin 3 co-star Anita Hassanandani came in his support and wrote at Instagram that ‘It is NOT true … canNOT be true’.
“Woke up to some nonsensical news bout @pearlvpuri I know him! It is NOT true … canNOT be true…. all lies. I’m sure there is more to it. And the truth will be out soon. Love you @pearlvpuri #ISTANDWITHPEARL.”
Nagin 3 co-star, Rakshanda Khan also wrote at Insta that she has worked with the actor for an year and san safely say that she never observed anything wrong in his behaviour.
“Yes, thats what families do. They stick together. Having shot with the boy for 12 months i can safely say i ve never seen anything in his behaviour to suggest he could do wrong. @pearlvpuri the entire team supports you.”, actress Rakshanda Khan at Instagram
Actor Nia Sharma wrote on Instagram that, “Rape is not a joke, no excuse, no means to come at someone to satisfy a bruised ego. Rape and molestation stories are terrifying and far beyond imagination in India. The real victims die, their stories go unheard, their families are waiting for justice all their lives. Do not belittle them. Do not make a mockery of it. Rape allegations cannot fu**ing be used at will. It Cannot. It should not. @pearlvpuri sorry it happened to you.”
Actor Surbhi Jyoti tweeted, “I have worked with him. I know him very well. He is a very nice and humble human being. I stand with him. #istandwithpearl #letthetruthprevail @pearlvpuri.”