Bollywood choreographer Shiamak Davar has been sued by two former Indo-Canadian dance students for alleged sexual harassment.
Percy Shroff, 40, and Jimmy Mistry, 33, have filed two lawsuits in British Columbia Supreme Court alleging Davar of being sexually abusive and controlling leader of a sect called VRRP Spiritual Learning group.
Davar, 53, has dismissed claims in a written response. He claims the allegations are not true and the two former dancers are trying to ruin “his character, reputation and affiliated organizations.”
Shroff and Mistry, both of North Vancouver, claim they endured years of unwanted sexual touching at the hands of Davar who they allege abused his authority as their spiritual leader to control all aspects of their lives, according to a report by CBC News.
Davar, who splits his time between Mumbai and North Vancouver, says he is the “custodian” of VRRP, not its leader.
VRRP follows the teachings of Khorsheed Bhavnagari, who wrote The Laws of the Spirit World, in which she claimed her two dead sons communicated with her.
The choreographer said he “has never had inappropriate sexual relations” with any dancer in his company or used his spirituality to manipulate, control or threaten anyone.
Shroff and Mistry are claiming damages for psychological injuries.
