I am proud of Shiney: Wife

Even as Shiney Ahuja is in police custody on charges that he allegedly raped his maid, his wife Anupam stands strongly by the actor's side. On Wednesday evening, she called a press conference to show her support for her husband.

She told the media that she has known Shiney for 15 years, and that he never drinks or even parties. "My man is innocent. He has been framed. I am proud of Shiney," she repeated several times.

Anupam said she had called the press conference to tell her side of the story. However, she did not answer too many questions. She did not explain her position on the medical report that confirmed rape according to the police claim, stating it would hamper court proceedings.

She was accompanied by friends, relatives and some residents of Tarapore Towers in Oshiwara, northwest Mumbai, where the couple live.

"I have known this family for the past four years," said Ruchika Marwah, a neighbour of the Ahuja family. "I have known Shiney as a loving husband, father and son. I was shocked to know of the incident. I disbelieve whatever happened."

Another neighbour named Satish Kapoor said, "I have known the family for the past seven years. I have never faced any problem whatsoever."

Anupam added that Shiney had not admitted to consensual sex with the maid. She stated that he was being framed because of his celebrity status.

"I have backing from the film fraternity," the actor's wife said. "They have all said that they know Shiney is innocent. (Directors) Anurag Basu and Sudhir Mishra have also shown their support towards Shiney."