I knew Bhandarkar very well: Model-actress

The controversy over alleged rape of a model-turned-actress by film director Madhur Bhandarkar got murkier on Friday with the former alleging that she had enough evidence against him even as the accused secured interim bail from a sessions court till July 27.

The victim had alleged in a police complaint yesterday that she was sexually exploited for three years by Bhandarkar who had promised her a role in his film and also to marry her, while the director told a television channel that he was innocent and did not know the model.

Reacting to the director's statement to a television channel that he did not know her, the model told PTI: "The statement is funny and Bhandarkar cannot get away with what he did, so easily. I have cellphone bills, residence documents to prove my association with Bhandarkar."

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In an interview to TV channel yesterday, Bhandarkar, who has made films Chandni Bar and Satta, rejected the claims of the model stating that it was a mere 'publicity stunt' and he did not know her. He claimed that the model was using arm twisting methods to bag a role in his film.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Bipin Kumar Singh told PTI today that Bhandarkar could not be traced although several parties have been sent to different places to find him.

Bhandarkar is charged with section 376 IPC (rape), section 493 IPC (cohabitation caused by a man deceitfully inducing a belief of lawful marriage), section 506 (2) IPC (criminal intimidation) and 509 IPC (act intended to outrage the modesty of woman).