‘Kick Him Out, We Don’t Want Pedophile…’ Sairaab Actor Faces Intense Backlash After Arrest

Television actor Rohit Chandel, best known for his performances in Kashibai Bajirao Ballal and Pandya Store, has been arrested by the Mumbai Police following allegations of stalking, harassment and assault involving a 16-year-old girl. The 29-year-old actor has been booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, along with relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The case has triggered widespread discussion online, with many viewers calling for his removal from curently running Star Plus show Sairaab.

According to reports, Rohit Chandel was arrested from his Dahisar residence on Friday, July 10, by officers from Pant Nagar Police Station. He was later produced before a special POCSO court, which remanded him to police custody. Authorities have confirmed that the investigation is ongoing.

According to a report by The Times of India, the complaint alleges that Chandel repeatedly called the minor on her mobile phone using his personal number as well as several other phone numbers. The repeated calls allegedly caused the girl significant distress.

The complaint further states that on July 5, the actor allegedly confronted the minor near her residential building in Mumbai's eastern suburbs. He is accused of chasing her, engaging in an argument, verbally abusing her and assaulting her by hitting her with his hands.

A police offical said, "Following the complaint, a case was registered and the accused has been placed under arrest. Further probe is underway in the case."

Police have also invoked Sections 78 and 115(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deal with stalking and voluntarily causing hurt, in addition to the provisions of the POCSO Act. Officials further stated that the accused and the complainant were known to each other.

The arrest quickly sparked strong reactions on social media. Several users urged Star Plus and the makers of Sairaab to remove Rohit Chandel from the show while the case remains under investigation.

One user wrote, “@StarPlus @JioHotstar have some ethics & kick him out, cast another guy in his place we don't want any ped0phile on our TV screen.”

Another commented, “Pedos deserve nothing but painful death.”

A third user wrote, “Didn't like his acting anyway. Bad actor and even worse person.”

According to a report by Tellychakkar, the complainant is also a television actress who is currently part of the cast of one of the industry's most popular TV shows. However, her identity has not been disclosed in accordance with legal provisions that protect the identity of minors in cases registered under the POCSO Act.

When approached for a response, she refused to comment on the allegations and said, "Please keep me away from this. I am not going to give any quotes. You want to write, you can write, but I am not going to say anything. Let the judiciary system decide who is what."

When asked whether she wanted to address the seriousness of the allegations, she replied, "It might be, I don't want to say anything."

She did not make any further statement, maintaining that the matter should be decided through the judicial process. The investigation into the case remains ongoing.