Hardeep Singh Kohli, the Scottish comedian, broadcaster, and former Celebrity Big Brother contestant, has found himself at the center of a high-profile legal battle, facing six charges of sexual offences against three women. Kohli, aged 56, appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court on August 8, 2025, where he firmly denied all allegations, setting the stage for a closely watched trial scheduled for November.
The accusations span nearly a decade, from April 2007 to December 2016, and involve incidents at several well-known Glasgow locations, including the BBC’s Pacific Quay studios, the Radisson Blu Hotel, and the Yes Bar in the city center. According to reports by Daily Mail, NationalWorld, and Evening Standard, the charges are detailed and severe, painting a troubling picture of alleged misconduct by a prominent figure in British media.
The first set of allegations centers on Kohli’s time at BBC Studios in Glasgow. Prosecutors claim that between April 2007 and September 2008, Kohli indecently assaulted a woman by groping her buttocks, seizing her by the body, and hugging her. This same woman alleges that, during the same period, Kohli made sexual comments towards her at a Glasgow bar and restaurant—a charge treated separately by the court. The accusations continue at the Radisson Blu Hotel, where Kohli is said to have stroked the woman’s back and touched her hair, further compounding the claims of indecent assault.
A second woman has come forward with allegations stemming from an incident at the Cross Keys Hotel in Canonbie, Dumfries and Galloway, in June 2008. She claims that Kohli seized her by the arm, lunged towards her, and attempted to kiss her face. In addition to the alleged assault, prosecutors accuse Kohli of disorderly conduct at the same location, stating that he exposed himself and performed a sex act in the woman’s presence—an act constituting a breach of the peace under Scottish law. Kohli’s defense team, led by Urfan Dar, has lodged a special defense of consent specifically for this charge, indicating that the nature of the encounter will be a focal point of the trial.
The third complainant alleges that in December 2016, at the Yes Bar in Glasgow, Kohli sexually assaulted her by seizing her body, hugging her, kissing her on the mouth, and attempting to insert his tongue into her mouth. This allegation, like the others, is categorically denied by Kohli.
During the court proceedings, defense lawyer Urfan Dar stated, “The position is the defence is ready for trial. The length of the trial both parties consider four to five days as a suitable estimate,” as reported by The Herald. Prosecutor Sean Docherty told the court that seven civilian witnesses and one police officer will be called by the Crown, with vulnerable witness orders granted for all three women. Disclosure of evidence has been completed, and both the prosecution and defense have agreed on a joint minute, streamlining certain aspects of the case.
Sheriff John McCormick, presiding over the hearing, set the trial date for November 24, 2025, estimating the proceedings would last five days. Kohli’s bail was continued in the meantime. Advocate Sarah Livingstone is expected to defend Kohli at trial, while the prosecution, led by Docherty, will present its case with the support of multiple witnesses.
Kohli’s legal troubles have not emerged in a vacuum. In 2020, he faced multiple allegations of sexual harassment from women in the comedy industry, including claims by comedian Lulu Popplewell, who alleged that Kohli offered to help her career and then invited her to his bed—an offer she perceived as an abuse of power. Kohli has consistently denied all such allegations, both past and present. The 2023 charges of rape and assault, brought by Scottish Police, have further damaged his public standing, as noted by STV.TV.
The breadth and seriousness of the current charges have cast a shadow over Kohli’s career, which until recently was marked by high-profile television and radio appearances. Born in the London Borough of Brent in 1969, Kohli built a diverse media career with the BBC, hosting programs such as Loose Ends, Question Time, and The One Show. He gained broader fame as the runner-up on the 2006 edition of Celebrity MasterChef and as a contestant on Celebrity Big Brother in 2018. Kohli has also contributed to newspapers like The Guardian and The Independent, and maintained a regular presence on BBC Radio 4.
His Indian Sikh heritage and outspoken personality made him a recognizable figure in British entertainment, often championing diversity and inclusion. However, the ongoing legal proceedings have shifted public attention from his professional accomplishments to the allegations he now faces.
As the trial approaches, the case has sparked debate within the comedy and media industries, as well as among the general public. Some have called for due process and a presumption of innocence, emphasizing the importance of letting the legal system run its course. Others, particularly advocates for women in media, argue that the case highlights ongoing issues of harassment and abuse of power in the entertainment world.
The legal process itself is expected to be rigorous and closely scrutinized. Vulnerable witness orders, already granted for all three women, underscore the sensitivity and complexity of the proceedings. The prosecution’s decision to call seven civilian witnesses and a police officer indicates a robust case, while the defense’s special plea of consent in one instance suggests a contested narrative that will require careful examination by the court.
For Kohli, the trial represents a critical juncture. His denial of all charges is unequivocal, and his legal team appears prepared for a vigorous defense. The outcome of the proceedings will not only determine his legal fate but may also have lasting repercussions for his public image and career trajectory.
As the November trial date draws nearer, the eyes of the media, the entertainment industry, and the public will be fixed on Glasgow Sheriff Court. The case stands as a stark reminder of the challenges facing both accusers and the accused in high-profile sexual offence trials, where the stakes are high, and the consequences—personal, professional, and societal—are profound.
The coming months will reveal how the evidence is weighed and what verdict emerges from this closely watched case, with all sides awaiting a resolution that has been years in the making.