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Singer-composer Ankit Tiwari acquitted of rape charge

Mumbai Sessions Court acquits the singer after alleged victim turns hostile failing to support the prosecution’s version.

In a major relief for singer-composer Ankit Tiwari, the Mumbai Sessions Court acquitted him in the 2014 rape case. A girl, who claimed to be his girlfriend, had alleged in her complaint that Ankit had raped her on several occasions between October 2012 and December 2013, failing to live up to his promise of marriage. Tiwari's brother Ankur, too, was accused of threatening the woman.

Additional Sessions Judge SKS Razvi acquitted Tiwari after the complainant didn’t support the prosecution case during her testimony in the court and was declared ‘hostile witness’. Tiwari’s brother Ankur was also acquitted of all charges.

"The prosecution could not prove its case," said Tiwari's lawyer Rizwan Merchant.

Tiwari was arrested in May 2014 by the Versova police but was later released on bail.

Tiwari has composed music for films like Aashiqui 2 (2013), PK (2014) and Airlift (2016).