The Free Press Journal

Actress seeks extension for recording statement

- PRIYANKA NAVALKAR

Actor and model Kate Sharma, who had filed a molestatio­n complaint against Bollywood filmmaker Subhash Ghai at the Versova police station on October 12, has asked the police for a month's extension to record her statement. Sharma, who had alleged the filmmaker asked her to give him a massage following which he also tried to kiss her.

Police said since the alleged incident took place in the jurisdicti­on of DN Nagar police station, the case was transferre­d there. However, on October 25, when police approached her to record a statement supporting her allegation­s, Sharma requested a month's extension, raising many eyebrows.

Sharma , who was hoping to get launched in Ghai's next film, said in her complaint letter submitted at Versova police station that Ghai allegedly molested her in a party held on August 6 by asking her to give him a massage. She mentioned in her letter, "It was shocking for me but I respected his seniority and agreed. I massaged him for two to three minutes and then went to the washroom to wash my hands. He followed me there. He then took me to his room saying that he wanted to talk to me about something. He grabbed me and tried to kiss and hug me."

A police source from DN Nagar police station said since the complainan­t is being evasive about recording a statement, no further action can be taken. Police will also need to cross-check the allegation­s leveled by the victim and take cognisance accordingl­y. No conclusion­s can be drawn on the said allegation­s placed at this time.

Ghai was also accused of raping another woman, whose identity was not revealed by the Twitter user in the #MeToo row. Reacting on the allegation­s made against Ghai, he had tweeted on October 13 which said,"I am a great supporter of the Me Too movement and women empowermen­t but hope that those taking undue advantage of the movement do not end up diluting it for their own short time fame. I feel grief if someone is trying to harm my reputation. Anyway, my lawyers will take care of the matter."

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