The maid confessed to falsely accusing the actor on the instructions of the woman who helped her get the job with Ahujas, CNN-IBN reported.

After the statement, the girl was declared a "hostile witness.” But “the trial will continue," said public prosecutor Kashinath Dige.

Shiney still stuck in rape case
Ahuja was arrested on June 14, 2009, after the maid lodged a complaint with Oshiwara police station blaming the actor of raping her in the flat in the afternoon while she was alone.

She had also claimed that Ahuja, 37, threatened her with dire consequences if she spoke about the incident in public.

The police had filed a 109-page charge sheet against Ahuja with statements of 12 witnesses, forensic reports, and other documentary evidences. The prosecution is now likely to get forensic and medical experts to depose.

Interestingly, the case is unlikely to be closed easily now because Ahuja has already admitted to the crime.

He has been charged under sections 376 (rape), which attracts a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, 341 (wrongful restraint) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC.

The next hearing in court is scheduled for Sept. 15.

Maid paid?
The recent developments following the controversy have sparked several questions. Was the maid coerced to accept money or was threatened? Or she was lying earlier? If not, maybe she's lying now.

A poll conducted by Times of India showed that 67 percent people believe the maid is paid to say “she was never raped” by Shiney. Ten percent believe she was threatened to say so, and 23 percent think she was lying earlier.

In case the court finds maid lying, she can be prosecuted for perjury.

Shiney admits, maid denies
Ironically, last year Ahuja had himself admitted the crime before police, saying, “The maid resisted but I forced her into it. I told her that she should stay mum. I was confident that she would not tell anyone of the incident and I was ready to give her whatever she wanted to make sure that she would keep quite. I have made a grave mistake."

The Bollywood actor reportedly broke down after the medical reports of the victim confirmed that she was sexually assaulted.

Reportedly, until now the actor has maintained that he had consensual sex with his housemaid.

But a dramatic turnaround of victim's statement might give the case a new twist, given that a lot of producers' money is at stake.