Bank sex-slave lawsuit unravels amid legal setbacks

A sensational lawsuit by former banker Chirayu Rana against his former boss, Lorena Gjidini, is now being described by legal experts as collapsing under its own weight. Rana, 35, claimed that Gjidini, 37, drugged him and forced him to perform sexual acts in JPMorgan offices, but the case is now facing mounting doubts in court.

One major development is the decision by Rana’s new, expensive legal team to withdraw the case from New York state court and refile it in federal court. His lawyers said they had found “new evidence,” but experts say the move is more likely an attempt to find a more favorable judge. The original judge reportedly showed little patience for the allegations, expressed strong skepticism at the first hearing, and suggested the case be dismissed outside the courtroom.

A labor-law attorney told the New York Post, “This is a completely baseless case that should not be occupying the justice system.” She warned that trying to “escape” to federal court could be a serious mistake for Rana. Federal courts impose stricter deadlines and less tolerance for weak claims, and approval for the switch is not guaranteed. If the move is allowed, Rana could also be ordered to pay the legal costs of Gjidini and JPMorgan for the time spent in state court, potentially amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Another warning sign came when Rana’s original lawyer tried to quit unexpectedly on the morning of a critical hearing, when Rana was seeking to keep his name confidential. The judge rejected that request immediately. Senior attorneys say such a last-minute withdrawal usually signals that the lawyer no longer trusts the client. Experts also note a major gap in Rana’s account, because despite detailed allegations of sexual and racial abuse, his team has presented almost no concrete evidence. The absence of incriminating texts or emails is especially damaging in a case that relies heavily on events said to have happened only verbally.