Comedian and broadcaster Hardeep Singh Kohli is set to stand trial in October 2027 following a series of serious criminal allegations. During a hearing at the High Court in Glasgow on June 26, 2026, the 57-year-old entered not guilty pleas to 20 charges, including multiple counts of rape and sexual assault involving five different women.
Legal Proceedings and Charges
The indictment against Kohli spans a period from January 2006 to June 2021. The prosecution alleges that the offences occurred at various locations, including the BBC Scotland studios in Glasgow, a hotel in Dumfries and Galloway, and several private residences. The charges include five counts of rape related to a single complainant, as well as allegations of indecent assault, sexual assault, and a course of abusive behavior.
Defence advocate Sarah Livingstone, representing Kohli, entered not guilty pleas on his behalf and formally lodged a special defence of consent for several of the charges. Kohli was excused from attending the brief procedural hearing. Lord Renucci has scheduled the trial to commence on October 1, 2027, with the proceedings expected to last approximately eight days.
Context and Industry Impact
Kohli, a prominent figure in UK media known for his work on BBC’s The One Show and appearances on Celebrity Big Brother and MasterChef, now faces significant legal scrutiny. The breadth of the charges—ranging from incidents in the mid-2000s to those alleged as recently as 2021—highlights an evolving landscape of accountability within the entertainment industry. As legal processes move forward, the case underscores the ongoing focus on systemic misconduct and the institutional handling of such allegations within media organizations.