Singer Yash Wadali gets judicial custody in molestation case

Mumbai: Singer Yash Wadali, who was arrested in the night intervening Thursday and Friday on alleged molestation and assault charges by the Bangur Nagar Police, has been remanded to judicial custody till August 18. Wadali was arrested from a lounge bar in Oshiwara after a 39-year-old woman alleged that he had molested her.

According to the complainant, she and Wadali were at a party early on Wednesday where she request Wadali to sing a song.

However, she alleged, Wadali responded with abusive words and assaulted her.

Wadali’s lawyer, advocate Falguni Brahmbhatt had filed an anticipatory bail application before the Dindoshi court on Thursday on his behalf, which was later rejected. Bangur Nagar Police then arrested Wadali from a lounge in Oshiwara where he was performing.

After being arrested, Wadali was produced in Borivali Metropolitian Magistrate Court on Friday afternoon, where he was remanded in judicial custody till August 18.

Advocate Brahmbhatt said to this paper, “The anticipatory bail plea filed by my client was rejected in the sessions court. He has refuted all charges made by the complainant and has pleaded innocent.”

She added, “He has been remanded to judicial custody till August 18 and we will do what abides by the law.”

When The Asian Age spoke to the complainant, she alleged that not only was she insulted and shouted upon, she was also asked to leave the premises.

The incident occurred early on Wednesday morning at an apartment in Garden Estate, Goregaon, when the complainant was at a birthday party with Wadali, according to the police.

The two did not know each other. Yash Wadali, who was allegedly drunk, was accused of holding the complainant by her collar.

Wadali has been booked under sections 354 and 504 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Section 354 pertains to assault or criminal force against woman with intent to outrage her modesty, while section 504 pertains to intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace.