Hansika Motwani’s ex-sister-in-law levels cruelty allegations, actress faces trial

Hansika Motwani’s ex-sister-in-law levels cruelty allegations, actress faces trial

Actor Hansika Motwani has been pulled into a legal battle after the Bombay High Court dismissed her plea to quash a cruelty complaint filed by her former sister-in-law, Nancy James. The ruling means the case will now go to trial, putting both Hansika and her mother, Jyotika Motwani, under intense legal scrutiny.

Nancy James, who was married to Hansika’s brother, Prashant Motwani, alleges that she faced consistent harassment and cruelty during her short-lived marriage. An FIR has been lodged under the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita, including charges under Section 498A for cruelty related to dowry demands, Section 323 for voluntarily causing hurt, and Section 352 for criminal intimidation and intentional insult. According to reports, Nancy claims her in-laws subjected her to emotional, physical, and financial abuse. She has also accused them of making repeated demands for money and luxury gifts.

Nancy and Prashant married in March 2021 in a lavish ceremony. However, she alleges that the relationship soured almost immediately, with domestic violence becoming a constant reality. In her complaint, she stated that she was pressured into selling her flat to meet the Motwani family’s demands. The prolonged harassment, she claims, left her deeply distressed and contributed to serious health complications, including Bell’s Palsy. A source told the media, “Nancy and Prashant had a grand wedding in 2021, but their marriage quickly fell apart. By the following year, the two were already living separately.”

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In February 2025, Hansika and her mother were granted anticipatory bail by a Mumbai sessions court, shielding them from immediate arrest. Hansika later filed a petition to have the FIR dismissed, but the Bombay High Court recently rejected it, confirming that the matter will move forward to a full trial.

Adding to the turmoil, reports suggest Hansika is also facing strain in her marriage with businessman Sohael Khaturiya. The combined weight of personal and legal challenges has put the actress under considerable public and private pressure as she prepares for the courtroom battle ahead.