FIR against Dhurandhar production designer over sexual harassment allegations

Chandigarh Police have registered an FIR against Saini S Johray, the production designer of the film Dhurandhar, following a sexual harassment complaint filed by a woman at the Sector-17 police station.

According to the complainant, Johray allegedly summoned her to a room at the Taj Hotel in Chandigarh, where she accused him of sexually harassing her, physically assaulting her and wrongfully confining her. She further alleged that an intoxicating substance had been mixed into her drink, causing her condition to deteriorate.

Police records stated that the woman, a resident of New Delhi, submitted a written complaint at the Sector-17 police station on April 20. Following a preliminary inquiry, the police registered a case under Sections 74, 79, 123 and 126(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Johray has been identified as a resident of Oberoi Springs in Andheri West, Mumbai.

Johray had recently drawn attention for designing a large-scale replica of Pakistan’s Lyari Town in Thailand for the film.

Joined film project during college

In her complaint, the woman stated that she was studying at the government college when a faculty member forwarded her resume to the Dhurandhar team. She was subsequently hired as an assistant art director on September 2, 2025.

The complainant alleged that Johray introduced himself as her mentor and claimed to be an alumnus of the Delhi College of Art, which helped her develop trust in him.

Called to hotel under pretext of professional meeting

According to the complaint, within days of joining the project, Johray invited her to a room at the Taj Hotel in Sector 17, claiming it was for a professional discussion. She initially believed it would be a team meeting, but later discovered that no other members of the crew had been invited.

The woman further alleged that Johray repeatedly instructed her not to inform anyone about the meeting at the hotel, allegedly warning that it could damage her professional reputation.

Woman alleges drink was spiked

The complainant stated that she arrived at the hotel room at around 8.30 pm on September 10, 2025. She alleged that Johray pressured her into consuming alcohol and prepared a drink containing a mixture of wine and rum, insisting that she finish it in one go despite her reluctance.

According to her statement, she began experiencing severe dizziness within minutes of consuming the drink. Although she repeatedly expressed her desire to leave, she alleged that Johray prevented her from doing so.

Alleged misconduct during dance lesson

The woman further alleged that Johray engaged in inappropriate physical contact while offering to teach her bachata dance. She claimed he forcibly pulled her close and made unwelcome advances.

She stated that her condition deteriorated rapidly and that she vomited multiple times over the next 20 to 30 minutes. Despite repeatedly asking to return home, she alleged that she was not allowed to leave the room.

The complainant further alleged that while she was vomiting in the bathroom, Johray entered and continued to touch her inappropriately. She also claimed that he later forced her onto a bed and pressured her to stay in the hotel room overnight.

According to the complainant, she was physically weak, frightened and unable to resist. She alleged that she remained under severe mental distress throughout the night and left the hotel only the following morning, returning home via a bike taxi.

The woman has also accused Johray of continuing to harass her afterwards by filing complaints against her, which she claimed caused further mental distress.

Police investigation into the matter remains ongoing. The allegations outlined in the complaint represent the complainant’s version of events, and the accused has obtained bail while the legal proceedings continue.