Mumbai: In a bid to make their case stronger, the crime branch on Tuesday
recorded
the
statement
of the first
victim
rescued in the
porn
movie
racket
under Code of Criminal Procedure’s Section 164 before the
magistrate
. Officials said this was done so that the complainant does not turn hostile as “influential people are involved in the racket”.
The crime branch’s property cell led by
police
inspectors Kedar Pawar, Dheeraj Kohli and Laxmikant Salunkhe had raided a Madh Island bungalow recently and caught five persons, including producer-director Yasmin Khan, while allegedly shooting a porn movie.
Sources said the property cell is also likely to take over investigation into two complaints registered with Malvani police. Two aspiring models had complained that the arrested accused had forced them to act in porn films after promising them roles in web series.
Police said they have written to various banks for two years’ statements of arrested
model
Gehana Vasisth alias Vandana Tiwari, Kenrin official Umesh Kamat, Yasmin Khan and her husband Dipankar alias Shyam Bannerji and Surat-based director Tanvir Hashmi, allegedly the major beneficiaries in the scam. Police have frozen Rs 36 lakh in Khan’s bank accounts.
“The accused have received huge sums through subscriptions on mobile apps and there is also flow of money from UK-based company Kenrin as several porn movies shot by Vasisth and other accused have been uploaded on apps. Prima facie, one Arvindkumar has deposited money into Vasisth’s account,’’ said an officer. Police are also looking for one Yash Thakur who allegedly uploaded movies on various apps.
Meanwhile, one aspiring model and
actor
has lodged a fresh
complaint
of rape, unnatural sex, cheating, assault and threats against Khan and Bannerji with Lonavala police.
Explore the yearly horoscope 2025 for Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces zodiac signs. Spread love this holiday season with these New Year wishes, messages and quotes.S Ahmed Ali, Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, Mumba...
Read MoreS Ahmed Ali, Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, Mumbai, covers crime and related isues but sometimes he also takes up offbeat subjects. His interests: automobiles particularly bikes, and gymming.
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