Akanksha Chamola Defends Shilpa Shinde Over False Sexual Harassment Case on ‘Lock Upp 2’, Says ‘She Must Have Felt Helpless’
Akanksha Chamola has ignited controversy on 'Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa' by defending Shilpa Shinde's confession of a false sexual harassment case against producer Sanjay Kohli. Chamola stated Shinde might have been 'helpless.' Get the full story on the Netflix reality show, where Akanksha also revealed her divorce from Gaurav Khanna and her bisexuality.
The digital arena of reality television has been set ablaze once more, with contestant Akanksha Chamola stepping into the eye of a storm on Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa. Her controversial defence of fellow inmate Shilpa Shinde, who recently admitted to filing a false sexual harassment complaint, has become a major talking point. 'Mujhe Ladkiyan Pasand Hain': Akanksha Chamola Comes out as Bisexual, Says She Dated Girls Before Marriage to Gaurav Khanna (Watch Video).
The drama unfolded during an episode of the recently premiered Lock Upp Season 2, hosted by Riteish Deshmukh and Farah Khan, where Shilpa Shinde, a wild card entrant, confessed to the long-standing legal battle with 'Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain!' producer Sanjay Kohli being based on false allegations.
Akanksha Chamola on Shilpa Shinde's False Harassment Case
When co-host Riteish Deshmukh prompted the inmates to share their views on Shilpa Shinde's startling confession, a majority of contestants expressed strong disapproval, highlighting the gravity and potential damage of such false accusations. However, Akanksha Chamola offered a nuanced, albeit contentious, perspective.
Chamola vocalised her empathy for Shinde's situation, stating, “Being a woman, mujhe aisa lagta hain ki kahi na kahi woh woman itni helpless hogi ki shayad usko yahi zariya dikh raha hoga (I feel as a woman that she must have felt helpless and could not see any other way out).” She further elaborated that her comments were not an endorsement of Shilpa’s actions but an attempt to understand the dire circumstances that might have led to them. Akanksha suggested that when one is confronting a powerful figure with significant influence, they might feel “cornered” and compelled to take extreme measures.
The Controversy Surrounding Shilpa Shinde's Confession
Shilpa Shinde, renowned for her role as Angoori Bhabi in Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain, first made headlines in June 2026 when she publicly admitted during a podcast with comedians Bharti Singh and Haarsh Limbachiyaa that her sexual harassment complaint against producer Sanjay Kohli was, in fact, false. The complaint, filed in 2017, stemmed from a heated contractual and payment dispute following her exit from the popular sitcom in March 2016.
Shinde explained that she felt "cornered" at the time and resorted to the allegations as a "last resort" to get her pending dues cleared. The matter was eventually resolved through an out-of-court settlement, and she received her payments. Notably, Shinde has since returned to a cordial working relationship with the same producer. Her admission has garnered significant criticism from various actors, including Pooja Bedi and Hina Khan, and has prompted calls for greater accountability regarding false allegations within the industry.
‘Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa’ Heats Up
Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa, created by Ekta Kapoor and produced by Balaji Telefilms, premiered on Netflix on June 27, 2026, with new episodes streaming every Saturday to Wednesday at 8 PM. This season sees Farah Khan and Riteish Deshmukh taking over hosting duties, guiding a fresh batch of celebrity contestants through challenging tasks and intense personal revelations. ‘Do Ladkiyon Main Itna Pyaar?’: Shilpa Shinde Calls Akanksha Chamola and Pamala Serena ‘Lesbians’ on ‘Lock Upp S2’ (Watch Video).
Akanksha Chamola herself has been a focal point of the season, making headlines with other personal disclosures. She revealed on the show that she is undergoing a divorce from her husband, Gaurav Khanna, and also opened up about being bisexual before her marriage. These revelations, combined with her recent defence of Shilpa Shinde, ensure she remains one of the most talked-about inmates in the Lock Upp jail.
Women and Child Helpline Numbers:
Childline India – 1098; Missing Child and Women – 1094; Women’s Helpline – 181; National Commission for Women Helpline – 112; National Commission for Women Helpline Against Violence – 7827170170; Police Women and Senior Citizen Helpline – 1091/1291.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 08, 2026 10:34 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
