Indian cricketer Prithvi Shaw has formally denied all allegations of molestation made against him by social media influencer Sapna Gill, labeling them as completely baseless and motivated by a desire for publicity. In a written submission filed before a Mumbai court on Tuesday, Shaw asserted that Gill is exploiting her gender to pursue a personal vendetta against him.
The Core of Shaw's Defence
Shaw's legal reply, filed in response to a revision petition by Gill, presents a strong counter-narrative. He claims that the accusations are a retaliatory move, a "counterblast" to the First Information Report (FIR) that was registered against Gill herself following a pub altercation in February 2023. The cricketer's submission argues that Gill is "playing the womanhood card" with the sole intention of damaging his reputation and extorting money.
The document states that the application is "false, frivolous, vexatious and filed with the sole intention to malign, defame and harass the respondent by misusing his public image and celebrity status." It further describes Gill as a "struggling actor" who moved the court to gain publicity and extract a financial settlement.
Chronology of the Legal Battle
The case originates from an incident at a suburban Mumbai hotel in February 2023, which reportedly began with a dispute over taking selfies. This led to a physical altercation, resulting in Gill's arrest. After being released on bail, she approached the Airport police station in Andheri, accusing Shaw, his associate Ashish Yadav, and others of molestation and outraging her modesty.
However, the police did not register an FIR based on her complaint. Dissatisfied, Gill approached a magistrate's court, which then ordered a fresh police inquiry under Section 202 of the Code of Criminal Procedure to determine if there were grounds to proceed. When this did not yield a result in her favour, Gill filed a revision petition before a sessions court in April 2024 through her lawyer, advocate Ali Kaashif Khan.
Police Findings and Next Steps
The Mumbai police have previously informed the court that their initial inquiry did not uncover evidence of any offence committed by Prithvi Shaw or the other accused individuals. This stance forms a significant part of the backdrop against which Shaw has now filed his detailed rebuttal.
In reaction to Shaw's reply, Gill's legal counsel stated that it lacks any substantial evidence or alibi to support the cricketer's version of events. The matter is scheduled for its next hearing on March 31, where the sessions court will consider the arguments from both sides.
This ongoing case highlights the complex intersection of celebrity status, legal accountability, and the use of social media influence in contemporary disputes. The court's forthcoming decisions will be crucial in determining the direction of this highly publicized legal confrontation.
