A lawsuit accusing music moguls Sean "Diddy" Combs and Jay-Z of raping a 13-year-old girl in 2000 has been dismissed, according to court filings submitted in New York on Friday.
The anonymous plaintiff, known as Jane Doe, voluntarily withdrew the case, as confirmed by legal documents. The attorney handling the case, Tony Buzbee, who represents multiple clients alleging sexual misconduct against Combs, filed the dismissal. The court records indicate the case was dismissed "with prejudice," meaning it cannot be refiled in its current form.
Jay-Z responds to the lawsuit’s dismissal, calling it a victory against baseless allegationsGetty Images
Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, issued a statement through his entertainment company, Roc Nation, calling the lawsuit’s dismissal a "victory." He described the allegations as "frivolous and fictitious" and emphasised that the case had no merit. Carter also expressed frustration over the emotional toll the lawsuit had taken on his family, calling for better legal protections against baseless accusations.
Jay-Z’s attorney, Alex Spiro, argued that the case should never have been filed. He praised Carter for standing firm against what he called "heinous and false allegations," stating that Jay-Z never paid a settlement and fully cleared his name through the legal process.
Jane Doe initially filed the lawsuit against Combs in October but later added Jay-Z’s name in December, alleging that both men assaulted her following an MTV Video Music Awards afterparty. However, inconsistencies in the plaintiff’s statements raised doubts. In a December interview, she admitted that "not all the facts are clear" and suggested she might have misidentified individuals involved.
Last month, Jay-Z formally requested the court to dismiss the lawsuit, citing credibility issues in the plaintiff’s claims. U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres granted the request, leading to the case's dismissal.
While Jay-Z is no longer facing legal action in this matter, Sean "Diddy" Combs remains entangled in multiple lawsuits. He currently faces over three dozen civil cases involving serious allegations, including sexual misconduct, racketeering, and sex trafficking. Combs, who has denied all allegations, has been in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn since September 2024. He has been denied bail three times and is set to stand trial on May 5, 2025.
Sean Combs remains entangled in multiple lawsuits as new legal battles emergeGetty Images
Combs' legal team responded to the dismissal, insisting that the accusations against him lack credibility. They described the lawsuits as a "media-driven campaign" and claimed that, like the dropped case, other lawsuits will eventually collapse due to insufficient evidence.
As new accusers continue to come forward, the legal battles surrounding Sean Combs show no signs of slowing down. With ongoing lawsuits and upcoming court proceedings, the music mogul’s future remains uncertain.
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Vinay Kumar Sinha
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.