Comedian Hardeep Singh Kohli is set to stand trial next year after being charged with rape and other sexual offences. The 57-year-old faces 20 charges involving five women, with incidents alleged to have occurred between 2006 and 2022 at locations including the BBC Studios at Pacific Quay in Glasgow and the Radisson Hotel in the city.
Details of the Charges
Kohli faces five charges of rape involving the same woman in 2020 and 2021 in the Glasgow area. Additionally, he is accused of several counts of sexual assault, indecent assault, breach of the peace, indecent communication, and assault. He has entered a plea of not guilty to all charges.
According to the High Court in Glasgow, special defences of consent have been lodged for some of the charges. Lord Rennucci set a trial date of October 1 next year during a hearing on Friday.
Specific Allegations
One charge alleges that Kohli indecently assaulted a woman at BBC Studios at Pacific Quay in Glasgow between 2006 and 2008, claiming he seized and squeezed her buttock and placed his arms around her body. It is further alleged he indecently assaulted the same woman at the Radisson Hotel, repeatedly rubbing her back and touching her hair during that period.
Another charge states that he sexually assaulted a different woman at Yes Bar in Glasgow in December 2016, allegedly seizing her, placing his arms around her body, and kissing her on the mouth. He is also accused of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by repeatedly pursuing the same woman and making sexual remarks towards her at the same venue on the same day.
Locations and Trial Details
Offences are alleged to have taken place at locations including Edinburgh, Glasgow, a hotel in Dumfries and Galloway, and elsewhere. Lord Rennucci indicated he would allow the special defence of consent lodged for a number of the charges. A further hearing is fixed for September 10 this year, and the trial is scheduled to begin on October 1 next year, expected to last eight days at the High Court in Glasgow.
Kohli has previously appeared on TV shows including The One Show, Celebrity MasterChef, and Newsnight Review, and has hosted shows on BBC Radio 4.
