‘Targets’ of #MeToo movement on denial mode

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Mumbai: While Union Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar is in the line of fire due to #Me-too movement against his alleged sexual harassment of women at workplace, actor Alok Nath and his wife Ashu Saturday filed a defamation complaint in a court against writer-director Vinta Nanda for accusing Nath of rape. Director Luv Ranjan who denied allegations of sexual harassment against him Friday tendered an apology “in case his actions hurt anyone.”
In the plaint filed before Andheri metropolitan magistrate, Nath and his wife sought a direction to Amboli police station to take cognisance of the letter sent by them in which they sought defamation proceedings against Nanda.
In a social media post Monday, Nanda had alleged the actor had raped her 19 years ago. Although she did not name Nath in her post, she referred to him as the actor who is known as the “most Sanskari person” in the field of acting.
Nath is known for playing characters endorsing ‘‘moral values’’ in films like “Maine Pyaar Kiya”, “Hum Aapke Hain Koun!”, “Hum Saath Saath Hain” and “Vivah”. Nath’s lawyer Ashok Sarogi Thursday refuted Nanda’s allegations as baseless.
The complaint filed by the couple says, “The complainants (Nath and Ashu) have on October 12 addressed a letter to Amboli police seeking action under sections 499 (defamation) and 500 of the Indian Penal Code against Nanda.”
The police, however, said since the offences are non-cognisable in nature, it would be appropriate if an order is passed by the concerned court of law, it said. “We have urged the court to pass necessary direction to the Amboli police station in-charge to take cognisance of their complaint and hold an inquiry,” the complaint said. “The complainants have suffered grave and irreparable loss, harm and injury which could never be compensated in terms of money,’’ the complaint read.
Although Nanda’s post did not name Nath, subsequently he was named by others which led to their unnecessary victimisation by way of defamation of their reputation in the society.
“Without commenting on anything about her (Nanda), the fact remains that all such occasions, such as the #MeToo campaign, are being encashed by way of utilising the social media for the purpose of either gaining some name and fame or for defaming the reputation of a person,” the complaint said.
Meanwhile, director Luv Ranjan in a statement “apologised to whoever I have caused hurt, whoever I have not made feel comfortable enough. I apologise for not being able to make someone feel that I am the man that I have aspired to be and I believe I am.”
Agencies