Nanda files statement in sexual harassment case against Alok Nath
MUMBAI: Writer-director Vinta Nanda, who recently accused actor Alok Nath of sexual harassment in a Facebook post, recorded her statement with the Oshiwara police on Friday. Meanwhile, a court hearing the defamation suit filed by Nath’s wife, Ashu, against Nanda contended the latter can speak out against the actor on any platform.
Nanda recorded her statement for nearly six hours and signed it in the presence of a woman officer and an inspector. The police confirmed the same. “My statement was taken in a detailed manner. What I initially wrote on social media was the basic incident and it has been explained in my statement today. I went to the police station at 11:30am. At 5:30pm, I again went with a friend, in whose presence the statement, which was recorded in Marathi, was read out,” Nanda told HT. She further said she could not go for the hearing of the defamation suit as she was at the police station since the morning. On October 17, Nanda had first approached the Oshiwara police station with a written complaint saying she was sexually assaulted by Nath 19 years ago. She had earlier posted about the incident on social media, after which Nath’s wife slapped the defamation suit on her.
Meanwhile, the civil court hearing the defamation case on Friday rejected interim relief to Ashu. Advocates for Ashu and Nath had prayed for an injunction restraining Nanda from releasing any content that will damage their reputation.
Advocates Dhruti Kapadia and Faranaaz Karbhari, on behalf of Nanda, told the court, “The injunction will not be fit as other actresses have also spoken out against the actor. Now in the #Metoo campaign, women are stepping up.” The Dindoshi civil court will hear the matter in February 2019. PALGHAR : Inteqab Alam Munshi, 45, a businessman from Vasai, was on Friday booked for sending a triple talaq notice to his wife through courier, said police. The lawyer, Pratibha Bangera, and two others who signed as witnesses, Farid Manjoor Shaikh and Tanvir Ahmed Khan, too, have been booked, said police.
Gaurav Singh, superintendent of police, Palghar, said, “This may be the first such case registered in Palghar district, after the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights of Marriage) Ordinance was passed in September. As it is a non-bailable offence, an arrest can be made only after the trial is completed.”
Munshi sent the notice to his wife’s maternal home at Manor in Palghar district. “The couple has been married for 20 years and has three children,” said Siddhawa Jaybhaye, assistant inspector, Manor police station. “A few months ago, Munshi went on a pilgrimage, sending his wife to her maternal home. After returning, he refused to take her in. A few weeks ago, she got the notice,” he said. RAM PARMAR