In a recent and deeply candid interview with Siddharth Kannan, actor Karan Oberoi bravely opened up about the dark period in his life when he was jailed in connection with a #MeToo case. Oberoi, who has maintained a relatively silent stance on the troubling events until now, revealed the harrowing conditions he endured and the profound psychological and physical challenges he faced, including a near-death experience due to asphyxiation.
In 2019, Karan Oberoi found himself entangled in a nightmare scenario after a woman accused him of rape and extortion. The accusations led to his imprisonment, casting a long shadow over his life and career. Reflecting on this traumatic time, Oberoi described it as akin to “visiting Paatal Lok (hell).” He rhetorically questioned how he ended up in such dire circumstances, expressing disbelief at his situation. “It was a dark phase in my life. It was like visiting Paatal Lok for me. I thought, ‘How did I land here?'” he shared.
Oberoi recounted the severe and intimidating environment he encountered while imprisoned. Surrounded by individuals who had committed heinous crimes, including murder, he found himself in a constant state of fear and uncertainty. Remarkably, even in these dire conditions, some of the hardened criminals around him took on a protective role.
He described the ordeal of his initial days in jail: “I didn’t eat anything for the first seven days. For the first nine days, I didn’t sleep. I was getting delirious.” The mental strain was overwhelming, leading Oberoi to feel he might not survive the experience. “I was starting to feel like I might not be able to finish this journey,” he confessed.
One particularly harrowing episode brought him perilously close to death.
. While Oberoi refrained from delving into specific details, he revealed that he nearly died from asphyxiation. “I almost died because of asphyxiation in an episode,” he said. This incident was exacerbated by his claustrophobia. “They put me in a place… kaal kothri mein daal dia tha (I was put in solitary confinement), and I thought this is the end of my life,” he added, reminiscent of seeing his life flash before his eyes.
The charges against Karan Oberoi stemmed from allegations by a woman who claimed that he had raped her in January 2017 and February 2018 on the false promise of marriage. The accusations led to his arrest and subsequent imprisonment. However, in a turn of events, Oberoi was granted bail a month later by the Bombay High Court, allowing him a brief respite from his ordeal.
The complex case took another twist when the same woman filed a second First Information Report (FIR) during Oberoi’s incarceration, alleging that she was assaulted and coerced into withdrawing her complaint. However, investigations revealed inconsistencies and led to her arrest on charges of criminal conspiracy and filing false information in an FIR. The pursuit of justice continued, and in 2023, the Bombay High Court imposed a fine of 20,000 rupees on the woman after her lawyer failed to meet the necessary legal obligations.
Karan Oberoi’s jail experience, a grim chapter marked by fear, uncertainty, and extreme physical and psychological strain, cast a long-lasting impact on him. His willingness to open up about the trauma underscores the severe toll such cases can have on those accused, irrespective of the eventual outcomes.
Reflecting on the ordeal, Oberoi’s story is more than just a narrative of a celebrity entangled in a #MeToo allegation. It sheds light on the broader implications of false accusations and the harrowing realities of navigating the criminal justice system under such extreme charges. It’s a stark reminder of the importance of due process and the profound effects wrongful accusations can have on individuals’ lives.
Karan Oberoi’s experience serves as a somber testament to the complexities and often painful journey toward justice. It highlights the critical need for a system that is mindful of all facets and consequences involved in such serious allegations, ensuring that justice is not only served for the accuser but also protects the rights and well-being of the accused.
