Tamil actor acquitted in rape case

Chennai, July 23 (UNI) Madras High Court today acquitted Tamil actor Mansur Ali Khan in a rape and cheating case.

Hearing an appeal filed by the actor, Mr Justice R Raghupathy set aside the Sessions Court order, sentencing him to seven years imprisonment.

As the appellant offered to pay Rs ten lakh to the victim on compassionate grounds to take care of her and her child, the court ordered him to pay Rs seven lakh within six weeks, in addition to the Rs three lakh he had already paid. This payment was without prejudice to the claim, the judge added.

In 2001, an Additional Sessions court had sentenced the actor to seven years rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 25,000 for cheating and raping a woman.

UNI