National: Shaw Fined Rs 100: Court Drama Unfolds
On September 9, 2025, a Mumbai sessions court imposed a nominal Rs 100 fine on Indian cricketer Prithvi Shaw for failing to respond to a petition in a contentious molestation case filed by social media influencer Sapna Gill. The court granted Shaw one final opportunity to submit his reply, scheduling the next hearing for December 16, 2025. This development underscores ongoing legal tensions stemming from a 2023 altercation, highlighting issues of accountability and judicial process.
Incident Background
The dispute traces back to February 15, 2023, at a pub in Andheri, Mumbai, where a disagreement over selfies escalated between Shaw and Gill’s friend, Shobhit Thakur. Police reports indicate Thakur persistently requested photos, leading to an argument when Shaw declined further requests. The situation intensified as Shaw’s friend, Ashish Yadav, was allegedly attacked with a baseball bat, and a group including Gill reportedly demanded Rs 50,000, prompting a police case against them.
Sapna Gill’s Allegations
Gill presents a contrasting narrative, alleging that Shaw and Yadav invited her and Thakur to their VIP table before assaulting Thakur over selfie requests. She claims that when she intervened, Shaw physically and sexually assaulted her, leading to her filing a counter-complaint for molestation and assault. Gill sought an FIR under IPC sections 354 (molestation), 509 (insulting modesty), and 324 (causing hurt), supported by a medical certificate noting bruises.
Legal Proceedings
The Andheri magistrate court initially declined to register an FIR against Shaw, ordering a preliminary police inquiry instead, which found Gill’s claims “false and unfounded” based on CCTV footage and witness statements. Dissatisfied, Gill filed a criminal revision petition in April 2024 at the Dindoshi sessions court, challenging the magistrate’s decision. Shaw’s repeated failure to respond to court summons prompted the Rs 100 fine and a stern warning from Judge DG Dhoble.
Key court actions include:
- Multiple summons issued to Shaw since April 2024, with no response.
- Magistrate’s inquiry order in April 2024, upheld by the sessions court.
- Final opportunity granted to Shaw with a Rs 100 penalty.
Shaw’s Conduct Criticized
Gill’s lawyer, Advocate Ali Kaashif Khan, accused Shaw of deliberately evading the legal process, noting his consistent absence despite repeated summons. Khan argued that Shaw’s disregard delays justice, a sentiment echoed in court proceedings. The judge’s decision to impose a token fine reflects an attempt to enforce compliance while allowing Shaw another chance to engage.
Ongoing Implications
The case, rooted in conflicting accounts, highlights the complexities of legal accountability in high-profile disputes. Gill’s arrest in February 2023 for attacking Shaw’s car, followed by her bail, adds layers to the narrative, with the Bombay High Court in February 2025 noting substance in Shaw’s counter-allegations against her. The December hearing will be critical in determining the case’s trajectory.