CHENNAI: Perhaps in a first of its kind order, the Madras high court has awarded 50 lakh compensation to an actor who was convicted based on the rape charges levelled by a woman.

About 16 years ago, maverick actor Mansoor Ali Khan found himself in the middle of adverse publicity when a 23-year-old woman accused him of rape. According to the woman, she approached the actor after he put up an advertisement for a secretary. She claimed that in November 1996 Khan took her to a hotel in his car and offered her juice laced with sedatives. She said he raped her repeatedly and threatened her against revealing it to anyone. In May 1998, she gave birth to a girl.

On the woman’s complaint, Khan was arrested on December 11, 1998. He was found guilty of sexual harassment and convicted on March 27, 2001. The trial court awarded him seven years’ rigorous imprisonment and slapped a fine of 3 lakh. The Madras high court, however, set aside his prison term, but asked him to pay 3.25 lakh to the woman and 7 lakh to the child. His appeal against the ruling was dismissed by the Supreme Court in February 2008.

In his petition in the HC, Khan said he came across a matrimonial case initiated by the woman, seeking to reunite with her husband. Claiming that the marriage took place in August 1994, she had sought restitution of conjugal rights, the petition said.

The actor pointed out that the woman had told the trial court during examination that he was responsible for she losing her virginity and that it was the first time she had had intercourse, albeit by force. Accusing her of furnishing false information to court and succeeding in her efforts, Khan said he had been maliciously prosecuted and subjected to humiliation.

He said the woman had first approached him for help, and he had extended financial assistance to her as he was mandated to do charity as per the Mohammedan Law. Claiming that his association with the woman was purely on humanitarian considerations, the actor said she slapped him with a charge of rape as she feared he would stop helping her. Calling it fraud, he wanted a compensation of 50 lakh towards loss of reputation and film career. The woman failed to appear before the court despite summons.

Justice T Mathivanan directed the woman to pay 50 lakh to the actor as damages towards malicious prosecution and defamation.