Mumbai: Cops drop case against Sajjan Jindal

In a significant development for JSW Group MD Sajjan Jindal, the BKC police have filed a closure report in the rape case lodged against him last year by a city-based doctor and actress. The report, filed as a B summary (typically submitted in instances of false or frivolous cases), asserts that the allegations made in the FIR by the victim cannot be substantiated. The reason being that she failed to provide evidence and did not appear before the magistrate to record her statement despite multiple notices issued to her. Conclusively, the B summary suggests that the case was likely filed with malicious intent to frame Jindal. In his statement, Jindal claimed that the case was filed against him to extort money. The rape case against Jindal was filed in December last year, alleging sexual assault over two years from October 2021 to January 2022. Despite multiple visits to the police, the victims concerns were addressed only after she approached the Bombay HC, leading to the FIR. The BKC police registered the FIR on December 13, 2023, and now have submitted a closure report within three months. They claim the victim was called to testify and provide evidence but did not appear. The report suggests some claims within the FIR are unsubstantiated or false. Closure report In the closure report, the BKC police documented statements from various witnesses, including Jindal. Jindal recounted an encounter with the victim and her brother at a Jaipur wedding in 2021. He explained that after a brief discussion, he requested the victims brother to share a property proposal for a Residence-cum-Guest House in Dubai. Jindal stated, I then requested him to share the property proposal for a Residence-cum-Guest House in Dubai. Subsequently, he departed from the venue. Jindal continued, stating that he encountered the victim again on December 27, 2021, at his Jindal Mansion on Pedder Road. At that time, I was in a meeting with the CEO of JSW Realty. During the meeting, the office attendant brought the woman to my office. During this encounter, I reviewed her proposal for a property in Dubai and expressed dissatisfaction, requesting to see alternative options. Shortly after, the woman departed, and the CEO of JSW Realty and I resumed our meeting. According to Jindals statement, the next meeting took place on January 5, 2022, at JSW Center BKC with the victim in the case. The victim once again presented the Dubai property proposal, which Jindal did not find suitable. He informed her that if there were no alternative proposals, there was no need for further meetings. The woman then requested selfies with Jindal, who called his secretary to take the photo using the victims cell phone, after which she left. After that, I never had any further contact with her, and I blocked her number, as is my usual practice after concluding business matters, Jindal stated in his testimony. Jindal further asserted that on October 8, 2021, he visited his Dolvi plant via helicopter, refuting the victims claim in the FIR that he was in Dubai at the time. Additionally, the BKC police stated in the closure report that from December 22 to December 24, 2021, Jindal was in New Delhi before coming to Mumbai to visit his BKC office. Later that evening, he attended a wedding function with his wife. However, the victim alleged in the FIR that Jindal had requested to book a room at the Taj Land End hotel and visited her there. The police have also recorded the statement of the hotel staff, who confirmed that the victim was alone and did not raise any complaints during her stay. He further clarified that according to the FIR, the victim claimed that on December 26, 2021, he picked her up from her residence in the Western suburb and went out. On December 26, 2021, my wife was unwell, so I remained at home with her. Additionally, my wife was experiencing symptoms similar to COVID-19, such as fever and cold, so we decided to stay at home instead of going out. Furthermore, I did not attend the wedding function of friends on that day. Therefore, he refuted the allegation of inviting the woman to his office and behaving inappropriately during their initial meeting, as well as the accusation of proposing marriage. I have three children and seven grandchildren, and being a prominent figure in society, I have not engaged in any such misconduct, Jindal stated firmly. He also rebutted the accusations of sexual harassment towards the victim on January 24 at his Jindal Mansion, stating that he did not meet her on that day. According to his statement, on January 24, 2021, he arrived from Dubai in the morning and had meetings in the afternoon. Later, he conducted further meetings in the evening via the Zoom app and continued discussions until 7.30 pm before leaving his office. ‘Assaulted at BKC office The victim in the FIR claimed that on January 5, 2021, Jindal sexually assaulted her at his BKC office and attempted physical relations, leading her to leave abruptly. On January 24, she alleges he raped her forcefully in the offices penthouse bathroom, followed by suggesting marriage and apologising upon her departure. However, police assert she only visited Jindals office on January 5 for a property proposal, leaving after the meeting without incident. There is no evidence supporting her claim of meeting Jindal on January 24. The allegations made against me in the FIR are baseless and appear to be motivated by a desire to extort a significant sum of money from me. The complainant has contacted me using various mobile numbers. Additionally, based on the information provided to me, the woman has not obtained any degrees in education or film studies abroad, and her claims seem to be fabricated with the sole intention of extorting money from me by portraying herself as prestigious and seeking proximity to me, Jindal stated in his statement to the BKC police. We attempted to contact the victim on her phone, but her number was switched off, and she did not provide relevant evidence, the police stated in the closure report. The BKC police also asserted that they had sent multiple reminders and court dates to the victims email and attempted to contact her via phone, but received no response. It was only on January 29 of this year that her lawyer wrote a letter to the police, stating that her mother was unwell and she would be unable to appear before the police. The lawyer requested dates between February 5 and February 9, 2024. The victim was requested to record her statement under section 164 of the CrPC, but she did not appear and did not provide the evidence claimed to be in her possession, reads the closure report. Footage unavailable The police also said that they had asked for the CCTV footage from the JSW office, but it was not available as the footage was stored only for 90 days.The closure report revealed that the victim and her mother were arrested in Telangana by Ibrahimpatnam police on February 2 this year in an extortion, cheating, and forgery case. After gathering testimony and conducting a thorough investigation, it was concluded that no wrongdoing occurred as detailed in the FIR. The report suggests the complainant filed the case with the intent to falsely incriminate the accused. Therefore, a B summary was filed to conclude the matter. Dec 13, 2023Date FIR was filed Jan 2021Month woman alleges she was raped at Jindal Mansion