Jani Grasp’s Nationwide Award suspended because of sexual assault allegations

The Ministry of Data and Broadcasting has determined to droop the Nationwide Movie Award for choreographer Jani Grasp because of allegations of sexual assault. Jani Grasp, whose actual title is Shaik Jani Basha, was set to obtain the award for his work on the music Megham Karukkatha from the Tamil movie Thiruchitrambalam throughout the seventieth Nationwide Movie Awards in New Delhi on October 8. The choreographer was arrested in Goa just lately in respect to the sexual assault case and had then been granted interim bail to attend the awards ceremony. 

A word from the Nationwide Movie Awards Cell, dated October 4, said: “In view of the seriousness of the allegation and the matter being subjudice, the Competent Authority has determined to droop the Nationwide Movie Award of the Finest Choreography for the 12 months 2022 to Shri Shaik Jani Basha for the movie Thiruchitrambalam till additional orders. Therefore, the invitation prolonged to Shri Shaik Jani Basha for the seventieth Nationwide Movie Awards Perform to be held at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi on 8.10.24 is hereby withdrawn.”

The allegations had been made by a former assistant of Jani Grasp, who claimed she was sexually assaulted throughout a piece journey in 2020. The police registered a case towards him on September 15, which later included fees below the POCSO Act because the assistant was a minor on the time.