Singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya booked for molestation

The police here have booked Bollywood playback singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya on charges of allegedly abusing and molesting a woman at a Durga Puja event late on Thursday night, an officer said on Friday.

The incident happened during a live performance by singer Kailash Kher as part of the Lokhandwala Durga Puja Mandal, of which Bhattacharya is one of the prime movers.

Despite repeated attempts, the singer could not be contacted for his version of the incident.

The 34-year old woman claimed that owing to the huge crowds, she could not view the performance properly so she got up and was viewing it from the side.

She alleged that at the time, she felt Bhattacharya touching her inappropriately and she objected, demanding to meet police officers and lodge her complaint.

At this, Bhattacharya reportedly shouted at her and asked some women volunteers to take her to his office where he further threatened her with dire consequences and then ejected her from the show venue.

Later, the victim approached the Oshiwara Police Station which lodged a complaint against Bhattacharya for molestation and related charges.

A police officer said investigations were underway and the singer would be summoned for questioning.