The law linking live-in with rape must change: Zarina Wahab

Zarina Wahab has stood by her husband Aditya Pancholi through all the stress and strain that they as a couple have gone through over his past relationship with actress Kangana Ranaut.

Fresh legal trouble over the same issue has cropped up recently, and Zarina wishes for more stringent laws to protect the accused in cases of sexual offences.  “You can’t be in relationship with someone for years and then suddenly accuse him of rape just because the relationship has ended, or because the other person has moved on. It’s just not right,” she asserts.

Zarina also rises to the defence of television actor Karan Oberoi who stands accused of rape. A 34-year old woman had filed a case against Oberoi for raping her under the pretext of marriage.

“Look at how he has been treated, and locked away. I’ve worked with him in the past. He’s a decent, civilised, courteous man,” says Zarina. “It’s frightening what a rape allegation can do to a person. If not true, it destroys a man’s reputation and self confidence. Karan will never be himself again.” The actor’s wife admits she lives in constant fear for her husband’s safety. “I know him better than anyone else,” she says. “He has never hidden anything from me. I know what has happened in the past. He has done no wrong.”