Indian cricketer Prithvi Shaw has formally dismissed the molestation allegations levelled against him by social media influencer Sapna Gill, labelling the complaint as entirely baseless and driven by personal animosity. In a written response submitted to a Mumbai court this week, the batsman argued that Gill's legal move was a frivolous attempt to damage his reputation and gain publicity.
The Core Allegations and Counter-Claims
Shaw's reply, filed on Tuesday, states that Gill's plea is a direct retaliation for a criminal case registered against her in 2023. That earlier case stemmed from an alleged altercation involving Shaw at a suburban hotel, where Gill was accused of attacking him during an argument over selfies. Gill was arrested in February 2023 in connection with that incident but later secured bail.
Following the hotel episode, Gill approached the Andheri Airport police station with a complaint accusing Shaw, his friend Ashish Yadav, and others of molestation and outraging her modesty. However, the police did not register a First Information Report (FIR), concluding that no offence was made out based on their initial inquiry.
The Legal Tussle in Mumbai Courts
After the police refused to file an FIR, Gill moved a magistrate's court, seeking directions to compel the police to register her complaint. The police maintained their stance before the court. Subsequently, the magistrate ordered a fresh inquiry under Section 202 of the Code of Criminal Procedure to determine if sufficient grounds existed to proceed with the case.
Challenging this order for a further inquiry, Gill, through her lawyer Ali Kaashif Khan, filed a revision petition before a sessions court in April 2024. Shaw, who had not formally responded until now, filed his detailed reply this week, marking a significant development in the legal battle.
Shaw's Defence and Gill's Lawyer's Rebuttal
In his submission, Shaw alleged that Gill, whom he described as a struggling actor, was "playing the womanhood card" to settle a personal vendetta and counter the earlier FIR lodged against her. He claimed the court approach was a calculated move for publicity and an attempt to extort money by falsely implicating him.
Responding to Shaw's claims, Gill's lawyer stated that the cricketer's reply failed to present any concrete evidence or a solid alibi in his defence. The legal arguments from both sides set the stage for the next hearing, which is scheduled for March 31.
The case continues to unfold amidst Shaw's professional commitments in cricket, including the recent IPL 2026 auction where team squads were finalized. The outcome of this legal proceeding is keenly awaited by followers of both the sporting and entertainment worlds.
