Rape case: SC asks Bollywood producer Karim Morani to file reply

The Supreme Court today asked Bollywood producer Karim Morani to file his response in three weeks to a plea seeking cancellation of regular bail granted to him in a rape case.

Morani has been accused by a 25-year-old woman of "aggravated", "brutal rape" over a period of six months. He has denied the allegations.

The woman, an aspiring actor, has claimed in her petition that she was raped under threat of elimination by the underworld and her nude pictures, possibly taken during the alleged assaults, circulated.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra made it clear that if Morani does not file his response within three weeks, his righttofilethe reply "shall stand extinguished".

The bench, which also comprised Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, posted the matter for final hearing on May 8.

During the hearing, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi and Siddharth Luthra, appearing for Morani, told the bench that they would file their reply on the plea.

However, advocate Karuna Nandy, appearing for the woman, opposed it saying the apex court had issued notice to Morani in February but he has not filed his reply yet.

"Let the matter be heard. Either they should file a reply or give up their right to file reply," the lawyer said.

When the bench asked the counsel representing Telangana about their stand, the lawyer said a charge sheet has already been filed in the case.

"Let the matter be listed on May 8 for final disposal. Counter affidavit, if any, be filed by respondent number two (Morani) within three weeks, failing which the right to file the reply shall stand extinguished. Rejoinder affidavit, if any, be filed within a week therefrom," the bench noted in its order.

Morani was granted regular bail by the Hyderabad High Court in November last year.

The apex court had in September last year dismissed Morani's plea challenging the high court order cancelling his anticipatory bail in the case. It had asked the film producer to surrender before Telangana Police in connection with the case.

The high court on September 5 last year had upheld the decision of the sessions court refusing anticipatory bail to Morani.

The sessions court had earlier taken note of the fact that Morani, who has now been acquitted in the 2G spectrum allocation case, had concealed the fact that he was facing trial in the high-profile case and had been in jail for several months. An FIR was filed by an aspiring actor alleging that she was raped by the film producer.