Who Is Karan Oberoi, the Actor Accused of Rape?

Karan Oberoi is currently in judicial custody.

Karan Oberoi has acted in shows like Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin.

(Photo Courtesy: Twitter)

Since 6 May, actor-singer Karan Oberoi has been making the headlines after he was arrested and sent to police custody for allegedly raping and blackmailing a woman. On 9 May, the actor was produced in Andheri Court and sent to 14-day judicial custody.

As we await further developments in the case, here’s a little insight into who Karan Oberoi really is.

Who is Karan Oberoi?

A TV actor, anchor and singer, Karan Oberoi started his journey way back in 1995 when he played the character of Bobby in Mahesh Bhatt’s soap opera Swabhimaan. He was also a part of the television show Saaya (1998) and Dishayen, in which he played the role of Rajiv Guptha.

In 2001, Karan formed a boy band called ‘A Band of Boys’, which included music director Siddharth Haldipur, Indian musician Sherrin Verghese, Chintoo Bhosle and Sudhanshu Pandey. The band is also known for its eponymous album and a film, Kis Kis Ko (2004).

However, Karan is most popularly known for being a part of the hit television series Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin. His other acting stints include the role of an inspector on the TV show Zindagi Badal Sakta Hai Hadsaa. He was also the anchor for the Zee TV show Antakhshari.

Most recently, Karan was seen on Inside Edge - a web series that revolves around a fictional cricket team. It premiered on Amazon Video in 2017. Inside Edge also stars Richa Chadha, Sidhant Chaturvedi, Angad Bedi and Vivek Oberoi.

The Great Indian Comedy Show and Milan are the other Indian TV shows that featured Karan Oberoi. He has also appeared in several television commercials.

Allegations

On 6 May, Karan Oberoi was arrested for allegedly raping and blackmailing a woman who has been in a relationship with him since 2016. An FIR against him had been registered at Oshiwara Police Station under sections 376 (rape) and 384 (extortion).

The actor reportedly duped the woman under the pretext of marrying her. The FIR alleges that he not only raped her and filmed the act, but also threatened to release the video unless she paid him the money he demanded.

His close friend and actor Pooja Bedi has come out in support of Karan, urging that the laws that exist to protect women should be used responsibly by them.

Taking into consideration the history of our country and the patriarchal society that we live in, there are times when a rape victim goes to the police station and her complaint does not even get registered. That is wrong. So, we need laws against rape and such violence; but at the same time, if women are misusing the law that is meant to protect them, we need to think about how to protect the rights of the man as well.

Pooja Bedi to IANS.

Currently, Karan is in 14-day judicial custody.