Choreographer Jani Master gets interim bail in Pocso case

Choreographer Shaik Jani Basha, popularly known as Jani Master, was granted bail by the Telangana High Court on Thursday, October 24. He had been in Chanchalguda Central Jail for just over a month and was released on bail with specific conditions. Jani Master was accused of sexual assault by a junior female colleague.
A sexual harassment case was filed against him by his assistant choreographer. Jani Master was arrested in Goa earlier this month on charges related to the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act.
In September, Jani was charged by the Narsingi police of the Cyberabad Commissionerate under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act. The 21-year-old victim claimed that the choreographer harassed and sexually assaulted her over a span of six years during her time working with him.
The woman also alleged that Jani Master threatened her with physical violence if she reported the incident and mentally harassed her during photoshoots and rehearsals.
The High Court has reportedly granted Jani Master interim bail with strict conditions, including that he must not interfere in the victim’s life or attempt to influence the trial.
After his arrest under the Pocso Act, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting suspended his National Award for Best Choreography for the song Megham Karukkat from the Dhanush-starrer Thiruchitrambalam.