A Maharashtra court on Thursday acquitted actor Vijay Raaz in a sexual harassment case filed by a female colleague in 2020. Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Mahendra Sorte ruled that the “prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence against him”, PTI reported.

A crew member had accused the 61-year-old actor of sexually harassing her during the shoot of the 2021 movie Sherni. As per the complaint, the alleged offence was committed in late October 2020. On November 4, the same year, Vijay was arrested in Balaghat (Madhya Pradesh), where the film crew was staying. He was released on bail the same day.

The complainant stated that the incident took place in a hotel, but the investigating officer did not visit the spot, the court said. The judge also said that the complainant mentioned the names of a few hotel employees, but their statements were not recorded.

“The investigating officer did not conduct any further investigation. Therefore, the evidence presented by the prosecution appears weak and insufficient,” the court said.

Meanwhile, Vijay’s lawyer, Saveena Bedi Sachar, said that the actor not only had to leave Sherni midway, but also lost work thereafter because of the allegations.