Mumbai

A magistrate court in Mumbai on Wednesday (Apr 4) directed the police to conduct an inquiry to establish if there was sufficient ground to proceed with a molestation complaint filed against Indian cricketer Prithvi Shaw by a social media influencer last year. 

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Additional metropolitan magistrate SC Tayde directed the police to complete the probe under Section 202 of the Criminal Procedure Code and submit a report by June 19.

Under the said section, the court can direct an investigation by a police officer to ascertain whether or not there is enough evidence tp proceed with the complaint. 

What happened with Shaw?

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Shaw was out for dinner with his friend in February 2023 when he was approached by an influencer named Sapna Gill and her friend Shobhit Thakur for a selfie. 

At first, the Indian opener agreed but when he was interrupted again for more pictures, he asked the group which had gathered around to leave and complained to the manager of a five-star hotel in Mumbai. 

Gill and Thakur allegedly started abusing and assaulting Shaw who could be seen rattled in the pictures and videos that went viral on social media. The Indian cricketer's car was also attacked using a baseball bat. 

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WATCH | Indian cricketer Prithvi Shaw attacked in Mumbai for denying selfies

After the kerfuffle, Shaw had to take another car to leave the scene whereas his friend Ashish filed a complaint at the Oshiwara Police Station. Shaw in his complaint said that both Gill and Thakur were in an inebriated state when the ruckus ensued. 

Gill faced arrest after the complaint but was let out on bail a week later. She immediately filed a counter-allegation, stating that Shaw molested her during the argument that ensued between them.

Also read | Hours after bail, woman files case against Indian cricketer Prithvi Shaw for 'outraging modesty'

However, in June 2023, police said in its report there was no evidence to show Shaw had committed the offence. After police refused to file the FIR, Gill, through her attorneys, approached the magistrate court. 

"Sapna was assaulted by Prithvi. A stick was seen in Prithvi's hand. Prithvi's friends assaulted the group first. Sapna is currently at Oshiwara police station. The police are not allowing her to go for medical treatment," said Gill's lawyer Ali Kashif at the time. 

Kashif also denied that Gill had asked $600 (Rs 50,000) from Shaw to settle the matter. 

(With inputs from agencies)