Pavan Sadineni arrested over woman’s complaint
HYDERABAD: Tollywood director Pavan Sadineni was arrested by Golconda police in a case involving allegations that he cheated a woman after promising her marriage and sexually assaulted her. Police arrested him following her complaint and sent him to judicial remand.
Woman says director promised marriage and career support
According to the FIR, the woman has been suffering from rheumatoid arthritis for 20 years and has been bedridden since 2023. After her family members left her, she had been living alone.
She said she met Pavan Sadineni about a year ago and that they subsequently began living together. She alleged that he initially provided financial assistance, took her to hospitals and paid her medical bills. He also promised to look after her health, career and financial affairs.
The relationship was initially smooth, she said. Pavan later began distancing himself from her. She subsequently learnt that he was already married and had children.
When she questioned him, Pavan allegedly told her that he was in the process of getting a divorce and would marry her once it was finalised.
The woman also alleged that Pavan promised to produce a film that she wanted to direct. He gave her some money for a demo shoot, she said.
Woman alleges sexual coercion and repeated broken promises
The woman alleged that Pavan gradually began neglecting her and that their relationship eventually became limited to sexual contact.
She told police that he met her only once a month in recent months and called her when he wanted to have sex. Although he had promised to provide her opportunities as an actor in several projects, he did not offer her a role in any project, she alleged.
When she questioned him, he allegedly kept putting her off by saying she would get an opportunity in his next project or the one after that.
She said Pavan had promised to marry her, provide a house, deposit a fixed amount of money in a bank account and produce the film she wanted to direct, but none of the promises were fulfilled.
The woman alleged that she later learnt that Pavan had relationships with several other women and had made similar promises to them.
She also told police that she had asked him not to have sexual contact with her when she developed infections and requested that he take her to a gynaecologist. She alleged that he ignored her request and forced her into sexual relations on several occasions.
She further alleged that Pavan made video calls and forced her to engage in sexual acts. Although she told him she was experiencing panic attacks, he allegedly ignored her concerns.
The woman suspected that Pavan may have recorded the video calls and could be sharing the recordings with others, according to her complaint.
Complaint follows alleged assault at woman’s home
The woman told police that Pavan came to her house at 4.30pm on August 5 and pressured her to have sexual contact with him.
She alleged that during the encounter, he subjected her to physical and sexual abuse. She said their relationship, which had begun with affection, eventually turned into sexual coercion.
The woman told police that she had been experiencing severe suicidal thoughts in recent months and was becoming increasingly distressed. She said she was gradually losing her confidence and sought legal action.
Police registered a case under Sections 69 and 115(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) based on her complaint received at 10pm on August 7.
Golconda inspector P. Saidulu said on Wednesday that Pavan was arrested based on findings that emerged during the investigation and was subsequently sent to judicial remand. Hyderabad Police officially lists P. Saidulu as the inspector of Golconda Police Station.
