JSW Steel chairman Sajjan Jindal.
Reuters File Photo
Mumbai: Industrialist Sajjan Jindal, Chairman and Managing Director of JSW Group, has been accused of rape by a 30-year-old woman, who lodged an FIR against him with the Mumbai Police.
The FIR has been registered at the Bandra Kurla Complex police station under sections 376 (rape), 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 503 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.
The woman resides in an upscale locality in the Mumbai suburbs. Her statement has been recorded, and the investigation has commenced.
The Mumbai Police has refused to comment on the case. Jindal denied the charges in a press statement and assured that he would extend cooperation during the investigation process.
“Sajjan Jindal denies these false and baseless allegations. He is committed to providing full cooperation throughout the investigation. As the investigation is ongoing, we will refrain from commenting further at this stage. We kindly request you to respect the privacy of the family,” the brief statement read.
A steel magnate, Jindal (64) leads the JSW Group, a multinational conglomerate with diverse businesses including steel, energy, infrastructure, cement, paints, e-commerce, and sports. He has served as the President of ASSOCHAM and held the position of Chairman of the World Steel Association from 2021 to 2022.
According to the FIR, the woman first met Jindal at an IPL match at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on October 8, 2021. Their next meeting occurred on December 18-19, 2021, at the wedding reception of NCP leader and former Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel's son in Jaipur. Thereafter they were in touch over the phone.
The complainant alleges that after a few meetings, the accused tried to make sexual advances towards her on more than one occasion, which she repeatedly refused. She alleges that numerous such meetings occurred between her and Jindal from October 2021 to January 2022, spanning various locations and cities.
The FIR states that the particular offence in question occurred in January 2022, at Jindal's penthouse located atop his company's head office at the Bandra Kurla Complex. The complainant also claims that Jindal promised to marry her.
According to reports, the woman has also alleged that the BKC police ignored her original plaint filed in February this year, and she was compelled to approach the Bombay High Court. The court directed the BKC police to register the complaint. The FIR was registered at the Bandra Kurla Complex police station in Mumbai on December 13.