Yesteryear actor accuses architect Anil Virmani of frequent physical and mental abuse over years

On Saturday evening, yesteryear actor Rati Agnihotri filed a complaint with the Worli police accusing her husband, architect Anil Virmani, of domestic violence.

The Worli police has booked Virmani under Sections 498 (A) (Husband or relative of husband of a woman subjecting her to cruelty), 323 (Punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), 350 (Criminal force) and 506 (Punishment for criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.

In her statement, Agnihotri said Virmani had been assaulting her "since a long time". However, it was the extent of abuse Virmani subjected her to after an argument they had on March 7, which pushed her to approach the Worli police, said a police official. After the actor informed the officials about the assault, they took her to Podar Hospital to treat the injury on her hands. Agnihotri told the officers that she had to leave for Lonavla for work and planned to record her statement after her return.

On Saturday evening, she returned to the police station, recorded her statement and an FIR was registered accordingly.

"Whatever it is, you will get to know soon. Please respect our privacy," said Agnihotri.

Agnihotri and Virmani got married in 1985 and the couple live near Atria Mall at Worli. Senior police inspector at Worli police station, Vinay Kulkarni, said, "Virwani wasn't doing very well at work since 2005. This might have been the reason behind their fights. We haven't arrested Virmani yet because we are still recording his statement."


When contacted, Virmani denied the allegation. "I am clueless about this case. I don't think a case has been filed in the first place, and I think Rati is at her mother's house at Lonavla because the latter is not keeping well," he said. When probed if the couple had faced similar issues before, Virmani said, "Never. We have been together for nearly 30 years now."

The couple's son, Tanuj, who was shooting out of Mumbai, said, "I got a few calls regarding this but I haven't been able to speak to Mom or Dad. Whatever it is, it's between my parents. We need to respect my mother's privacy right now. Once she is comfortable, she will give a statement to the media."