National award-winning choreographer faces serious charges as controversy unfolds; wife claims conspiracy.

In a shocking development, celebrated choreographer Jani Master was arrested in Goa on Thursday for allegedly raping his assistant choreographer. The national award-winning artist had been evading authorities and was located at a hotel where he had been staying to avoid arrest. He is set to be produced before a Hyderabad court following his apprehension.

Police reports indicate that Jani Master had been untraceable since Wednesday, having switched off his phone in an apparent attempt to delay his arrest. The case against him was initially registered on September 15, encompassing charges of rape, criminal intimidation, and assault. Subsequent investigations led to the inclusion of sections from the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (Pocso) Act, as the woman involved began working with him while she was still a minor, reportedly facing harassment since 2019.

His wife, Sumalatha alias Ayesha, a choreographer herself, has vehemently denied the allegations, claiming they stem from a “larger conspiracy” aimed at tarnishing her husband’s reputation. She expressed her disgust at the claims and challenged the complainant to provide evidence, stating, “If the girl can show evidence, I will leave Master.” She dismissed any insinuations of “love jihad,” asserting that both she and her husband adhere to Hindu traditions.

Hydrabad police commissioner Avinash Mohanty confirmed that Jani Master was initially presented in a local court in Goa before being transported to Hyderabad on a transit warrant. In a further twist, the complainant has accused Sumalatha of harassment, prompting additional scrutiny into her involvement.

The Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce (TFCC) has initiated its inquiry into the matter and plans to share its findings with any government agency that requests them. K. Damodar Prasad, honorary secretary and convenor of the sexual harassment redressal committee at TFCC, noted that while the standard timeframe for such inquiries is 90 days, they anticipate completing their preliminary investigation sooner.

As this high-profile case unfolds, the film industry and fans alike await further developments.