Bollywood film producer Karim Morani gets anticipatory bail in rape case

Mumbai: The ‘Chennai Express’ producer, Karim Morani, is out on anticipatory bail in a rape case filed against him by a 24-year-old, Mumbai-based theatre artist, who is a friend of his daughter Zoa.

The victim had accused him of sexually exploiting and then threatening her of leaking their intimate pictures online.

The investigating officers at Hayatnagar police station, where the case is registered, are waiting for the Call Detail Record (CDR) between both the parties to confirm whether or not Morani was present in Hyderabad when the alleged rape happened at a renowned film studio back in 2015.

The producer’s counsel moved an anticipatory bail petition before IV additional metropolitan sessions judge of Ranga Reddy district about three days ago. On Monday, the court granted anticipatory bail along with a few riders after hearing arguments of both the victim and the accused.

"The petitioner (Karim Morani) is entitled for anticipatory bail. In the event of the arrest of the petitioner, the petitioner shall be released on bail on his executing personal bond of 50,000 with two sureties for like sum each to the satisfaction of the investigating officer. Further, the petitioner shall cooperate with the investigating agency and shall attend before the investigating officer as and when required and shall present before the court whenever required by the investigating officer for further investigation in the matter (sic)," the court said in its order.