After news of television actor Pearl V Puri being arrested over rape charges created a buzz on Saturday morning, several TV celebs and his industry friends have spoken in his support.
Producer Ekta Kapoor also took to Instagram to pen a lengthy note where she mentioned that the Naagin 3 actor is innocent, and is being framed by the girl's father.
In the caption of her post, Ekta also stated that she has spoken to the girl's mother, who clearly stated that Pearl is not involved in the case.
She shared a photo with Pearl and wrote, "Will I support a child molesteror or a molester of any kind? But what I witnessed from last night to now, was the absolute low in human depravity. How can humanity go to this level? How can people who are upset with each other, drag a third person into their own fight? How can a human being take on another human being and do this (sic)?"
She further added, "After various calls with the child‘s/girl’s mother, who openly said that Pearl was not involved and it’s her husband trying to create stories to keep her child and prove that a working mother on a set cannot take care of her kid. If this is true then it is wrong on so many levels! Using an extremely important movement like ‘Me Too’ frivolously, to get your own agendas met with and mentally torturing a child and making an innocent person guilty (sic)."
Ekta also wrote that she has recorded conversations with the girl's mother that proves that Pearl is innocent.
"I have no right to decide, the courts will decide who is right & wrong. My opinion only comes from what the girl’s mother said to me last night & that is - Pearl is innocent and it is very very sad if people are using various tactics to prove working mothers are unable to take care of their children, because there are predators on the set. I have all the voice notes and messages between the child’s mother and me which clearly points to the false allegations being put on Pearl (sic)," Ekta concluded her post.
Earlier today, actors including Anita Hassanandani, Krystle D'souza, Karishma Tanna, Nia Sharma and Shalin Bhanot among others said that the news cannot be true and extended their support to the actor.
The 31-year-old actor was arrested by Palghar police in connection with an alleged molestation and rape case of a child. He was reportedly booked by Mira-Bhayander Vasai-Virar police, invoking charges of IPC Section 376 AB and POCSO Act, 4, 8, 12,19, 21 for the rape of the minor girl.
According to the Valiv Police Station, which lodged the case, the victim's family had complained that Pearl had allegedly molested and raped the girl, around two years ago.
Pearl began his career as a television actor with the 2013 show "Dil Ki Nazar Se Khoobsurat" while Ekta Kapoor's "Naagin 3" and "Bepanah Pyaar" made him popular.
He was last seen in the television series "Brahmarakshas 2".
An official statement on behalf of the actor is awaited. While fans are heartbroken with the news of his arrest, a section of netizens are criticizing the actor on his social media posts for the allegation levelled against him.
