MUMBAI MIRROR (October 17, 2018)

A day after he filed a defamation case seeking Re 1 in damages against Vinta Nanda in connection with her rape accusations against him, Alok Nath has refused to respond to a notice issued to him by the Indian Film and Television Directors Association (IFTDA). The association has now decided to take strong action against the actor.

IFTDA had sent a show-cause notice to Alok on October 10 based on a complaint by Vinta. In response, the actor’s advocate Ashok Sarogi has told IFTDA that there is “no complaint at all made with any of the police authorities nor filed with any of the legal authorities” and that the notice has been served on the basis of “interviews and some complaints on social media”.

On Tuesday, IFTDA President Ashoke Pandit was quoted as saying, “We are calling a meeting to find a way... We will follow whatever is permissible under the law of our association, to protect our members. Yes, she (Vinta) did not complain to the police, but she did complain to us. So, we will take a strong stand.”

‘Wish women had spoken about their stories immediately’

Bappi Lahiri says although he is not fully aware of the details of the #MeToo movement, he feels women should come out with their stories of harassment immediately.

Bappi said while he is not trying to shame anyone, it does not make sense when a person speaks about an issue years later.

“I heard and read about a few cases here. The old cases which are coming out now, my point is, why did you not speak about it when it happened? Why didn’t you register a complaint, file an FIR? The news which is coming out now, I wish it came out earlier. Today we are launching the film’s music, there’s no point talking about it ten years later,” he was quoted as saying at an event recently.