Comedian Hardeep Singh Kohli is to stand trial next year accused of rape and other sex offences. The 57-year-old faces 20 charges involving five women between 2006 and 2022 at locations including the BBC Studios at Pacific Quay in Glasgow and the Radisson Hotel in the city.
Details of Charges
Kohli is accused of five charges of rape involving the same woman in 2020 and 2021 in the Glasgow area. He also faces several charges of sexual assault and indecent assault, as well as other charges including breach of the peace, indecent communication, and assault. The comedian, who was a contestant on Celebrity Big Brother, has pleaded not guilty.
During a hearing at the High Court in Glasgow on Friday, it was revealed that special defences of consent have been lodged for some of the charges. Lord Rennucci set a trial date of October 1 next year.
Alleged Offences at BBC Studios and Hotel
One of the offences allegedly took place at the BBC Studios at Pacific Quay between 2006 and 2008, where Kohli is accused of indecently assaulting a woman by seizing and squeezing her buttock and placing his arms around her body. It is also alleged he indecently assaulted the same woman at the Radisson Hotel, repeatedly rubbing her back and touching her hair during that time period.
Another charge alleges that Kohli sexually assaulted a different woman at Yes Bar in Glasgow in December 2016, where he allegedly seized her, placed his arms around her body, and kissed 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 Yes Bar on the same day.
Additional Locations and Next Steps
Offences are alleged to have taken place at locations including Edinburgh, Glasgow, a hotel in Dumfries and Galloway, and elsewhere. Lord Rennucci said he would allow the special defence of consent lodged for a number of the charges. He fixed a further hearing for September 10 this year and a trial for October 1 next year, which is 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 programmes on BBC Radio 4.
