Peepli Live co-director Mahmood Farooqui arrested under rape charges

Mahmood Farooqui, who is married to the Peepli Live director Anusha Rizvi, was arrested on Saturday under charges of rape. The director has been accused of raping a 35-year-old American national, 3 months ago. Farooqui is charged under section 376 of IPC. The complaint has been lodged at the New Friends' Colony police station of New Delhi.

IANS quoted an official stating, “The accused Mahmood Farooqui has been arrested and was presented before Saket court. The court has sent him into judicial custody till 6 July”. As per an Indian Express report, the incident tool place on March 26. Farooqui called the woman, who is studying PhD in Hindi studies at his home in Sukhdev Vihar, where he sexually assaulted her. Further, the woman has accused him of exchanging e-mails after the incident. However, the director has denied of the claim made.

Farooqui's wife Anusha Rizvi denies of the charges against husband. She said, “The complaint is manipulated and false. We don’t want to make any further comments on the matter because the case is under investigation. We will wait for the court’s decision where the actual truth of the matter will come out. In the meanwhile we are thankful for the show of support from friends, colleagues and well-wishers. We are determined to fight this till the reality is presented before the people. We are very sure of it”.