The Maharashtra Police on Thursday arrested television actor Ashish Kapoor, who played the role of Nikhil Deora in the hit television series Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, on rape charges. The actor was arrested on the complaint of a 24-year-old girl employed with a private firm in Gurugram, according to reports.
The complaint was filed on August 11. In her complaint, the woman alleged the rape happened last month in August. According to the victim, she was drugged and raped, and the assault was videotaped by the actor.
The incident reportedly happened at a party, which the girl attended after being invited by her friend. There were Ashish and three others at the party. Alcohol was served, and everyone was inebriated. She alleged that someone had drugged her drink, which caused her to lose consciousness. She was forced into the bathroom, where she was raped. Though the woman initially claimed gang rape and gave other names of men she alleged were involved, she retracted her statement later. In her revised statement, she named just Ashish.
After the details of the complaint leaked, Ashish went into hiding. He was later traced to Goa but fled as the police arrived there. He was then traced to Pune, where he finally landed in police custody.
Ashish Kapoor has been part of top shows like Saraswatichandra, Love Ya Arranged Marriage, Dekha Ek Khwaab and Woh Apna Sa.
