TV Actor Ashish Kapoor Arrested in Pune on Rape Charges Linked to Delhi Party Incident

Pune/Delhi, 4th September 2025: Television actor Ashish Kapoor has been arrested in Pune on charges of rape following allegations made by a woman who claimed he sexually assaulted her during a house party in Delhi in August, police said.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Raja Banathia confirmed Kapoor’s arrest on Wednesday. Police teams had tracked his movements from Delhi to Goa and later to Pune before taking him into custody.

According to police, the case was registered after the complainant alleged that Kapoor raped her in a bathroom at a friend’s residence in north Delhi during the second week of August. Initially, the woman had accused Kapoor, his friend who hosted the party, and two unidentified men of sexual assault, also alleging that she was physically assaulted by another woman present at the party.

However, in a later statement, she accused only Kapoor of rape, while maintaining that the host’s wife assaulted her. “The case initially included sections of gang rape, but it will be converted to a single accused rape charge following the fresh statement,” a senior officer said.

The complainant also alleged that the assault was videotaped, but police have so far found no such recording. Investigators said Kapoor had first connected with the woman through Instagram and later invited her to the party where the alleged assault occurred.

An FIR was registered on August 11 against Kapoor, his friend, the friend’s wife, and two unknown men. On August 18, the woman revised her statement, naming only Kapoor and his friend. Subsequently, on August 21, Kapoor’s friend and his wife secured anticipatory bail from the court, after the victim dropped the friend’s name from her testimony during the hearing.

Police added that CCTV footage and witness accounts show Kapoor and the complainant entering the bathroom together during the party. When they did not emerge for a prolonged period, guests knocked on the door. The incident reportedly escalated into a heated argument that spilled to the society gate. The complainant claimed she was beaten up by the host’s wife at this stage, while the police control room (PCR) call was made by the same woman.

Police said the investigation is ongoing, and Kapoor will be produced before a court as the legal process advances.