Mumbai: If one were to go by the revelation of the Maharashtra State Commission for Women (MSCW) chairperson it appears that the torchbearer of the #Me Too movement – Tanushree Dutta has been waging a ‘half-hearted’ battle against her tormentors. The actress, who accused veteran actor Nana Patekar of sexual harassment, failed to appear before the women’s commission despite several opportunities being given to her to place her version on record. According to an interview to a channel, Tanushree had said Nana Patekar had sexually abused her while she was shooting a song for Horn Ok Pleassss. She claimed choreographer Ganesh Acharya had changed the steps of the dance sequence at the last moment, allegedly on the insistence of Nana Patekar, giving him access to touch her ‘inappropriately.’
Vijaya Rahatkar, the chairperson of MSCW on Wednesday said Tanushree did not appear before the commission and nor did she file her reply or written statements, despite being served with notices.
In a conversation with The Free Press Journal, Rahatkar said, “We received Tanushree’s complaint against Nana Patekar some months ago. She had made serious allegations against him.” “Acting upon her complaint, we had immediately ordered the police to file a criminal case against Nana Patekar and had also directed him and others including Tanushree to file their replies in the case,” Rahatkar added.
According to Rahatkar, within a few days of the commission’s orders, all the persons including Nana Patekar filed their say in the matter. “However, we did not receive Tanushree’s statements or reply. We then again issued a notice to her asking her to send her reply. But we are yet to get one till date,” Rahatkar claimed.
On the contrary, Nana Patekar, in his statements to the commission has said he has done nothing and his name is being dragged unnecessarily into the matter. “He has said he has done nothing that would harm a woman’s modesty or dignity. He said the allegations were baseless,” Rahatkar said.
Notably, the Mumbai Police, which investigated the case, filed a summary report before a Magistrate court, seeking to close the case, earlier this month. The police did not found any incriminating material against Nana Patekar.
On this closure report, Tanushree had slammed the Mumbai Police and accused it of saving Nana Patekar. She had then claimed that she would move the Bombay High Court to challenge the closure report.
