Hardeep Singh Kohli Rape Trial Takes Fresh Turn as Judge Presses Lawyers to Agree Evidence Before Hearing

Hardeep Singh Kohli's rape trial has taken a fresh procedural turn after a judge pressed lawyers to work towards agreeing more evidence before the Scottish broadcaster and comedian faces trial over 20 charges involving five women.

A continued preliminary hearing was held virtually from the High Court in Edinburgh on Thursday as lawyers discussed evidence that could potentially be agreed between the prosecution and defence.

According to Sky News, Lady Drummond noted that a 'very brief' draft joint minute had already been prepared and asked both sides to consider how it could be expanded.

The joint minute sets out evidence that can be agreed between the parties, potentially reducing the amount of evidence that needs to be disputed during the eventual trial.

Kohli Faces 20 Charges

Kohli is accused of a total of 20 offences involving five women between 2006 and 2022. The charges include rape, sexual assault, indecent assault, breach of the peace, indecent communication and assault.

Sky News reported that five of the rape charges involve the same woman and relate to alleged incidents in the Glasgow area during 2020 and 2021. Other allegations involve incidents at locations including BBC Studios in Glasgow, a hotel in the city and other addresses in Scotland.

The Scottish Sun reported that the indictment runs to five pages and covers alleged offences spanning 16 years. Kohli has pleaded not guilty to the charges. His defence has also lodged special defences of consent in relation to some allegations.

Judge Sets Another Preliminary Hearing

Lady Drummond has now set another preliminary hearing for 1 July 2027. According to Sky News, the judge said the purpose would be to ensure that both sides had complied with their duty to agree evidence where possible.

Kohli's full trial is scheduled to begin at the High Court in Glasgow on 1 October 2027. The case has attracted considerable attention because of Kohli's television career. He became widely known through appearances on programmes including Celebrity Big Brother and Celebrity MasterChef, as well as his work with the BBC.

Lawyers Asked To Narrow Disputed Evidence

The latest hearing focused on how much of the evidence can be accepted by both sides before the jury is asked to consider the case. Lady Drummond said a draft joint minute had already been prepared, but indicated that lawyers should consider expanding the document further.

A joint minute is used in Scottish criminal proceedings to record facts or evidence that the prosecution and defence agree do not need to be proved separately at trial. Reaching agreement on such matters can help streamline proceedings and allow the court to concentrate on the evidence that remains disputed.

The charges against Kohli include allegations dating back to between 2006 and 2008. He is accused of indecently assaulting a woman at the BBC Scotland studios at Pacific Quay in Glasgow and of a separate alleged incident at the Radisson Hotel on Argyle Street.

Other allegations relate to a hotel in Dumfries and Galloway, the University of Edinburgh and a Glasgow bar. In one allegation concerning December 2016, Kohli is accused of sexually assaulting a woman at the then city-centre Yes Bar and of subsequently behaving in a threatening or abusive manner towards her.

The prosecution and defence will now have several months to work on the agreed evidence before returning to court for the next preliminary hearing. The eventual trial is expected to last eight days, according to earlier proceedings, with Kohli remaining on bail.

The charges are allegations and Kohli remains legally presumed innocent unless proven guilty.