Sandeep Soparkar on the Sonia Jaffer rape case!

Sonia Jaffer was Mahesh Manjrekar's partner in Sony's reality dance show Jhalak Dhikla Ja. To her goes the credit of making a non-dancer like Mahesh come out with unique steps episode after episode. There are reports that she has been beaten up badly and raped by her former boyfriend, Serin Panicker. But the girl has the courage to lodge a complaint against him and bring him to books. We spoke to her guide and mentor, Salsa trainer Sandeep Soparkar under whom she trained for dancing. "It's very sad and shocking. A couple of years back Sonia was my dance student for three years. Her boyfriend used to come to fetch her after the classes. He appeared to be quite a gentleman and I didn't expect this out of him," says Sandeep On Sonia lodging a police complaint, he says, "I only hope this does not affect her personality and career. She is a fantastic person and an excellent dancer. I am sure her stand will encourage other girls in a similar state to come out in an attempt to punish the guilty." Mahesh Manjrekar could not be contacted for his views. Though the clock cannot be reversed to undo the irreparable harm and trauma caused, we can only wish Sonia gets justice and is vindicated.