By Nadin Naz-
Actor Nadeem Khan,(pictured) recently seen in the high-octane spy thriller Dhurandhar, was arrested by Mumbai Police on Monday following allegations of a decade-long pattern of sexual assault against his domestic help.
The 41-year-old complainant alleges that Khan began sexually assaulting her in 2015 under the pretext of marriage. According to police reports, the woman maintained the relationship for nearly ten years, believing the actor’s assurances. She finally approached authorities after Khan allegedly reneged on his promise to marry her.
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Nadeem Khan has established himself as a versatile character actor across film, television, and OTT platforms. Khan gained significant recognition for his role in the short film The Mirror, which won an excellence award at the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival in 2023.
His filmography includes appearances in several high-profile projects such as Dhurandhar (2025): Portrayed “Ahlak,” the cook and eventual mole within the antagonist’s camp.
Acted alongside Kriti Sanon and Pankaj Tripathi.Khan has extensive experience in television, appearing in over 30 episodes of Crime Patrol between 2016 and 2019. He has also been a long-time performer in Mumbai’s theatre circuit.
By the time of his arrest Khan had built a diverse portfolio across the big screen and OTT platforms, often appearing in supporting roles alongside major stars like Amitabh Bachchan and Sanjay Dutt. He appeared in the critically acclaimed thriller starring Neena Gupta and Sanjay Mishra. Other Works: Dhadak, Mrs. Serial Killer, and the spy series Mukhbir: The Story of a Spy. Khan was slated to appear in the sequel Vadh 2, scheduled for release on February 6, 2026.
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This case has reignited discussions regarding the exploitation of domestic staff and the power dynamics within the Indian film industry.
Similar high-profile cases have surfaced in the past. In 2011, the award-winning actor was sentenced to seven years in prison for raping his 20-year-old domestic worker.
Though the victim later recanted her testimony, the court upheld the conviction based on forensic evidence and circumstantial leads. The Indian film industry has faced numerous sexual misconduct allegations, most notably during the #MeToo movement in 2018, where veterans like Nana Patekar and Alok Nath were accused of harassment and assault by colleagues. Khan remains in police custody as investigators at the Malvani police station verify the complainant’s statements and examine further evidence.
Sexual assault in India remains a significant and pervasive issue, characterized by high reporting volumes but persistently low conviction rates. According to the 2023 National Crime Records While tens of thousands of cases are registered annually, experts and official surveys suggest that the actual incidence is much higher, as many survivors do not report due to social stigma, fear of retaliation, or lack of faith in the justice system.
A staggering 89% to 98% of reported rapes are committed by individuals known to the victim, such as family members, friends, or employers. In 2023, Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest total number of crimes against women (66,381 cases), while Delhi maintained the highest crime rate per 100,000 women at 133.6, more than double the national average of 66.2.
The Conviction Gap
Securing a conviction in sexual assault cases remains a major hurdle in the Indian legal system, with the conviction rate for rape has historically hovered between 27% and 32%.
By the end of 2023, court pendency for crimes against women reached an alarming 90%, with over 2.5 million cases unresolved.
Acquittal Factors: Many trials end in acquittal due to hostile witnesses, poor investigative procedures, or the long duration of cases (averaging two years to complete) which pressures survivors into withdrawing their complaints.
Domestic helpers are particularly vulnerable due to isolated working environments and unequal power dynamics Surveys indicate that roughly 29% of domestic workers have admitted to being sexually harassed at the workplace.
Research in India shows that many domestic workers avoid reporting because they fear losing their livelihoods or face dismissive treatment from police.
Harassment often escalates from verbal abuse or non-consensual touching, and many workers are forced to avoid certain households, such as those rented by single men, to ensure their safety.
The Indian government has attempted to address these issues by establishing over 750 Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) to expedite trials for rape and POCSO cases, though the systemic backlog remains a critical challenge.
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