Shiney Ahuja's bail plea rejected

A Mumbai court has rejected Shiney Ahuja's bail plea over fears that he could influence prosecution witnesses.

Ahuja, who is currently in judicial custody until July 16, had applied for bail on the grounds that he was the victim of a conspiracy to impugn his reputation.

Chief public prosecutor Ramnath Kini told Reuters: "The court has refused to grant him bail.

"The prosecution argued that Ahuja, being a well-known personality and a moneyed person, could tamper with witnesses."

Ahuja, 36, was arrested on June 15 after he was accused of rape by his maid.