Aditya Pancholi Challenges Rape FIR, Says Claims Are ‘Baseless and Malicious’

Bollywood actor Aditya Pancholi has filed a petition before the Bombay High Court seeking to quash a 2019 rape FIR registered against him, calling the allegations “malicious” and legally untenable.

The matter came up for hearing on February 12, where Pancholi’s counsel, advocate Prashant Patil, urged the court to set aside the FIR. The defence argued that the complaint was lodged nearly 15 years after the alleged incident, questioning the delay and asserting that the case amounts to misuse of the legal process.

The plea relies on the Supreme Court’s judgment in State of Haryana v. Bhajan Lal, which outlines the principles under which criminal proceedings can be quashed to prevent abuse of law.

According to the defence, before the FIR was registered, an individual had met Pancholi and a recording of that interaction exists. The recording has reportedly been submitted before the court to support the actor’s claim that the complaint was filed with ulterior motives.

During the hearing, the public prosecutor informed the bench that the complainant had not appeared before the police for investigation despite 11 notices being issued. Following this submission, the High Court directed the complainant to remain present on the next date of hearing, scheduled for February 24, 2026.

The FIR was registered on June 27, 2019, at Versova Police Station in Mumbai under Section 376 (rape) of the IPC and other applicable provisions. Pancholi has denied all allegations.

This is the second time the actor has approached the High Court in connection with the case. In 2022, he had sought similar relief, including a request for updates on the progress of the investigation.