NEW DELHI: Filmmaker-cum-director Madhur Bhandarkar got a reprieve from the Supreme Court on Monday as the apex court stayed criminal proceedings against him on the allegation of rape levelled by actress Preeti Jain. A Bench comprising Justice H L Dattu and Justice C K Prasad issued notices in this regard and directed the State of Maharashtra and the actress to file their respective replies within the stipulated time, when Shivaji M Jadhav, counsel appearing for Bhandarkar, said that the proceedings against his client ought to be stayed.
Bhandarkar moved the apex court after the Bombay High Court dismissed his petition and directed him to face the trial in the case.
In 2004, the actress lodged a complaint with the Versova police alleging that Bhandarkar had raped her 16 times between 1999 and 2004 on the pretext of casting her in his films.
Preeti also alleged that Bhandarkar had promised to marry her and to cast her in his films, but later backtracked.