- By Sidhi Agarwall
- Fri, 12 Sep 2025 12:33 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Actress Hansika Motwani is facing fresh legal trouble as the Bombay High Court has dismissed her plea to quash a criminal case filed by her former sister-in-law, Nancy James. The ruling now paves the way for a full trial against the actress. Nancy, who was married to Hansika’s brother Prashant Motwani, has accused Hansika and her mother of cruelty, harassment, and dowry-related demands. The complaint also includes allegations of domestic violence and financial pressure. With the court rejecting her petition, Hansika will now stand trial alongside her mother, making this a major legal setback in her career and personal life.
Meanwhile, the case dates back to March 2021, when Nancy James tied the knot with Prashant Motwani in a lavish wedding ceremony. However, their marriage soon ran into problems, and the couple began living separately just a year later. According to Nancy, she faced repeated harassment from her in-laws, who allegedly pressured her for money and expensive gifts. She also claimed she was forced to sell her flat at their insistence. In her FIR, Nancy accused Hansika and her mother, Jyoti (also known as Mona), of cruelty under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. These include Section 498A (dowry-related cruelty), Section 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), and Section 352 (criminal intimidation and intentional insult). Nancy further alleged that the harassment took a toll on her health, causing her to suffer from Bell’s palsy, a condition that temporarily paralyses one side of the face.
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Meanwhile, Hansika and her mother had earlier secured anticipatory bail from the Mumbai Sessions Court in February 2025. They later approached the Bombay High Court in April, requesting the FIR to be dismissed. Hansika expressed shock at finding her name included in the complaint, but the court has now refused to quash the charges. This means both mother and daughter will have to face a full trial in connection with the allegations.
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Adding to Hansika’s challenges are reports suggesting trouble in her own marriage to Sohael Khaturiya. Just two years after their much-publicised wedding, rumours claim that the couple may be living separately. Their relationship had earlier drawn attention because Sohael was previously married to Rinky Bajaj, who was once a close friend of Hansika. Despite speculation, both Hansika and Sohael have clarified in the past that they had known each other for years through her brother. With the court dismissing her plea, Hansika now faces a difficult legal battle ahead. The trial will not only test her personal resilience but could also impact her professional image in the entertainment industry.