• Jubilant FoodWorks Chairman Shyam Bhartia Denies Rape Allegations Amidst High Court-Directed Investigation
• Serious Allegations Against Shyam Bhartia
Unmesh Gujarathi
Sprouts News Exclusive
A major controversy has erupted after an aspiring actress accused industrialist Shyam S. Bhartia, Chairman of Jubilant FoodWorks, of rape, blackmail, and financial fraud. The complaint, filed with the Thane police, alleges that Bhartia and his associate Pooja Singh sexually assaulted her in Singapore and Mumbai, recorded videos of the incident, and later used them for blackmail. The allegations also include financial fraud, with claims that Singh fraudulently transferred company funds and removed the actress from directorship without her consent.
The case has now taken a legal turn, as the Bombay High Court intervened and directed the police to register an FIR, leading to an official investigation.
• Timeline of Events and Legal Proceedings
1. November 11, 2024 – The actress first approached the Thane police, filing a complaint against Shyam Bhartia and Pooja Singh. However, the police allegedly did not take any action for over three months.
2. February 2025 – Frustrated with the inaction, the actress filed a petition in the Bombay High Court, seeking judicial intervention.
3. February 18, 2025 – During a hearing, a bench of Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Dr. Neela Gokhale questioned the Thane police about their delay in registering the FIR. The police finally assured the court that they would comply with the legal process.
4. February 22, 2025 – The Kapurbawadi police in Thane registered an FIR against Shyam Bhartia, Pooja Singh, and two others, under charges of rape, blackmail, and caste-based atrocities under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
• What the Actress Alleges
According to the complaint, the actress first met Shyam Bhartia through Pooja Singh at a five-star hotel in Mumbai in early 2023. Bhartia, a well-known industrialist, reportedly expressed interest in investing in the actress’s entertainment project.
Later, Bhartia and Singh allegedly invited the actress to Singapore on May 18, 2023, under the pretext of discussing business investments. Upon her arrival, she claims she was intoxicated against her will and brutally raped by Shyam Bhartia, while Pooja Singh recorded the act. The abuse reportedly continued for three days.
The actress further alleges that Bhartia and Singh blackmailed her using the recorded videos, coercing her into meeting them at hotels in Mumbai and Delhi under threats of leaking the footage online.
Additionally, the FIR details a financial fraud case wherein Bhartia and Singh allegedly formed a joint company with the actress, promising a ₹50 crore investment. However, Singh fraudulently transferred ₹9.44 crore to her personal account, later removing the actress from the company’s directorship using her forged digital signatures.
The complaint states that the actress faced caste-based slurs and intimidation when she attempted to confront the accused.
• Shyam Bhartia’s Response: “Baseless and Defamatory Allegations”
Following the registration of the FIR, Jubilant FoodWorks issued a statement on behalf of Shyam Bhartia, strongly denying all allegations. The statement described the accusations as “false, baseless, and defamatory,” claiming that they were made with “clear malafide intent” to damage his reputation.
The company also clarified that the Bombay High Court had not made any judgment on the merits of the case.
Bharthia has stated that he is fully cooperating with the police investigation and has urged the media to respect his family’s privacy during this time.
• Media Silence: Why Are Other News Outlets Ignoring This Story?
Despite the gravity of the allegations, most mainstream media outlets have remained silent on the issue. Observers believe that this lack of coverage is due to Shyam Bhartia’s influential position in business and media circles.
It is important to note that Shyam Bhartia is married to Shobhana Bhartia, Chairperson of the Hindustan Times Group, which controls major media platforms such as Hindustan Times and Mint. Media bias and conflicts of interest may be preventing major publications from covering the story extensively.
For instance, India Today initially published a detailed report on the case but mysteriously took it down within minutes, raising questions about external influence on editorial decisions.
• Sprouts News Commitment to Truth and Accountability
At Sprouts News, we believe that no individual—no matter how powerful—should be above the law. While other media houses may choose to ignore or downplay this significant case, we remain committed to independent journalism and will continue to track and report on the investigation closely.
Our readers deserve transparency, and we assure them that we will provide unbiased, factual updates on this case as it unfolds. The truth must prevail, and justice must be served.
