Film director Sanoj Mishra, who recently made headlines for offering viral sensation Monalisa a role in his film during the Kumbh Mela, has been arrested in connection with a rape case. His arrest came after the Delhi High Court rejected his bail application.
On March 30, the 45-year-old director was apprehended by Delhi Police following intelligence gathering and technical surveillance. He was arrested in Ghaziabad and taken into custody by the Nabi Karim Police Station. He had been residing with his family in Mumbai.
Who is Sanoj Mishra?
Sanoj is a filmmaker and screenwriter. He is also the founder of Sanoj Mishra Films. He has been active in the Hindi film industry for the past three decades. With a background in journalism and writing, he has contributed to several major Bollywood films as an assistant.
Born on August 11, 1977, in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, Sanoj completed his education in Raebareli. He later pursued higher education at Shia PG College, Lucknow, where he earned a master’s degree in sociology.
As a filmmaker, Sanoj has written and directed over a dozen films, often tackling social and political issues. Under the banner of his production company, he produced films such as Kashi to Kashmir, Shashank, Lafange Nawab, Ghaznavi, Gandhigiri, Ram Ki Janmabhoomi and The Diary of West Bengal.
He made his Hindi cinema directorial debut in 2014 with the film Betaab.
Sanoj is married to Shruti Mishra. However, not much is known about his wife.
What is Sanoj Mishra's case?
The case revolves around a 28-year-old woman from a small town who accused Sanoj of repeatedly raping her over a period of four years. The woman, an aspiring actress, alleged that she had been in a live-in relationship with him in Mumbai during this time.
According to her statement, Sanoj not only exploited her trust but also forced her to undergo three abortion procedures. She further claimed that he had promised to marry her but later went back on his word.
Reportedly, an FIR was registered on March 6, 2024, under multiple charges, including rape, assault, causing miscarriage, and criminal intimidation. The complainant also reaffirmed her allegations in a statement recorded under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).
The turning point in the case occurred on February 18, 2025, when Sanoj allegedly took the woman to Hotel Shiva in Nabi Karim. According to the complaint, he engaged in physical relations with her during the visit before abandoning her, prompting her to approach the police.
Investigators have also gathered medical evidence from Muzaffarnagar related to the alleged abortions. Following the court’s decision to deny his bail, the 45-year-old director was taken into custody, and further legal proceedings are underway.
