Pearl V Puri arrested for allegedly raping a 5-year-old girl; Anita Hassanandani says, 'It is not true'

Anita Hassanandani, Pearl V Puri (Photo/mid-day archives)

Anita Hassanandani extended support to her 'Naagin 3' co-actor Pearl V Puri, who has been arrested by Palghar police in Maharashtra in connection with an alleged molestation and rape case of a 5-year-old girl. Pearl has been booked by Mira-Bhayander Vasai-Virar police, invoking charges of IPC Sec. 376 AB and POCSO Act, 4, 8, 12,19, 21 for the rape of the minor girl. However, Anita called it a piece of "nonsensical" news, further adding that the truth will be out soon.

Anita shared a throwback picture with Pearl on Instagram and captioned the post, "Woke up to some nonsensical news bout @pearlvpuri I know him! It is NOT true ... canNOT be true.... all lies. I'm sure there is more to it. And the truth will be out soon. Love you @pearlvpuri #ISTANDWITHPEARL."

A lot of television celebrities have come out in support of Pearl. Surbhi Jyoti commented on Anita's post. She wrote, "I stand with my friend @pearlvpuri". Ruchikaa Kapoor too commented, "true! #IstandWithPearl ! let truth prevail…"

Adhvik Mahajan too dropped a comment in support of Pearl. "Totally agree," wrote the actor, who too was part of the 'Naagin' franchise.

Ekta Kapoor posted on social media saying she has voice notes and messages of the alleged victim's mother claiming that the rape and molestation charges are stories created by her husband in order to keep their child by proving that a working mother cannot take care of a kid.

Police said the incident took place at a film set in Vasai in 2019. Police sources said the victim's mother knew about the incident, but she did not inform the police. On Friday night, Waliv police went to the actor's residence in Andheri and took him to Amboli police station for questioning. Later, he was arrested. Police sources said that the girl was on the set with her mother when she was sexually assaulted and she suffered injuries on her private parts.

Police said the victim told her father about the incident, who approached the Versova police and registered an FIR. However, no action was taken by the police for over a year.

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'.