From Casting Small-Time Actors to Accused in Rape Case: Udaipur's Siddharth Ojha Under Scrutiny

Udaipur, Rajasthan - Police have arrested Pushpraj alias Siddharth Ojha (29), a prominent casting director in the Bollywood industry, in connection with the alleged rape of a French woman in Udaipur. Ojha, who owns a casting company and has worked on projects involving major stars like Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar, was apprehended in Chittorgarh.

Horrific Details Emerge: Alleged Rape After Party

According to Udaipur Superintendent of Police (SP) Yogesh Goyal, the incident occurred on June 22, 2025, when the French woman arrived in Udaipur from Delhi for a mobile advertisement shoot. Ojha's company, 'Casting Call,' had hired her for the shoot, which took place at picturesque locations including Pichola, Sajjangarh Fort, and local restaurants.

After the shoot, crew members attended a party at 'The Greek Farm Cafe & Restaurant' in Tiger Hill. During the party, Ojha allegedly lured the woman to his rented flat in Sukher under the pretext of smoking. There, he reportedly sexually assaulted her. The victim recounted that Ojha initially asked her to hug him and, upon her refusal, forced himself upon her.

Following the horrific incident, the woman admitted herself to a private hospital, where her condition is now stable. A formal complaint was filed at Badgaon Police Station on June 24.

Accused Claims "Honey Trap" Amidst Police Interrogation

Upon his arrest, Siddharth Ojha, currently in police custody, has claimed innocence, asserting he was a victim of a "honey trap" orchestrated by certain individuals within the Bollywood industry. "I am an outsider. I work on shoots here. This is a conspiracy to send me back. I was not trying to escape, I was going to surrender myself," he stated. Police are currently investigating this "honey trap" claim alongside the primary allegations.

Ojha, originally from Gangrar tehsil in Chittorgarh, has been residing in Udaipur for the past eight years. Police sources indicate that he has confessed to the crime during preliminary interrogation. Authorities have assured that the investigation will be completed swiftly, with the charge sheet expected to be presented in court within seven days.

Public Outcry and Political Demonstrations

The incident has sparked widespread outrage in Udaipur, leading to protests by the Congress party against rising crime and deteriorating law and order. When Ojha was brought to the SP's office, agitated Congress workers, including City President Fateh Singh Rathore, attempted to assault him. Some workers tried to pull his hand, prompting police to close a small gate to control the situation. However, angry protesters jumped the gate, reaching the SP's chamber, leading to a 15-minute commotion that was eventually quelled by Additional SP Umesh Ojha and DSP Kailash Chandra.

The victim, who has resided in Delhi for an extended period and previously visited Rajasthan, was staying at a hotel in the Ambamata area. Her swift complaint led to Ojha's rapid arrest from Chittorgarh. Medical examinations have confirmed the assault. Police have heightened security and are conducting a thorough investigation into the matter.

The incident has ignited significant social and political discourse, with Congress workers criticizing the government and police administration over the state of law and order. Additional police forces have been deployed to prevent any further untoward incidents.