After the Versova Police Station refused to file an FIR in her sexual harassment case against casting director Vicky Sidana, actress Kritika Sharma has written to the Home Ministry and Police Commissioner of Mumbai
Rachit Gupta (BOMBAY TIMES; October 24, 2018)

A few days ago, it was reported that actress Kritika Sharma had approached the Versova Police Station in Mumbai to file a complaint against casting director Vicky Sidana. The actress alleged that while authorities at the police station recorded her statement, the senior inspector refused to file an FIR and stated that, since Kritika’s complaint dates back to a 2013 case, they will have to conduct a preliminary investigation before filing the FIR. The actress had approached the police on October 18, but five days later, the police have still not filed an FIR. Due to the delay, the actress has now been forced to file an official complaint with the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of Maharashtra. In her complaint, Kritika has highlighted the fact that Senior Inspector Ravindra Badgujar of Versova Police Station prevented her from registering an FIR. The actress has shared copies of both her written complaint to the Ministry of Home Affairs as well as her first complaint against Vicky Sidana, which was received by the Versova Police Station on October 18, with Bombay Times.

Talking about the development Kritika said, “Mrs G G Patil, the female officer at Versova Police Station recorded my detailed statement for hours and she was very cooperative. I was promised that they would file an FIR on the basis of my statement and I was asked to collect a copy of the same in the evening. When I visited the police station with my husband, I was told that Senior P.I. Ravindra Badgujar had refused to file an FIR and wanted to conduct an investigation.”

When Kritika insisted further, the inspector suggested her statement be recorded again. The actress added, “It was hard for me recollect details of the 2013 encounter and I broke down while my statement was recorded. Even though the police station had the entire account in writing, the inspector insisted that I had to record a new statement, again. Going through that ordeal, all over again, was too much for me. I had furnished such minute details like the pale green colour of the wall of the house where Vicky Sidana took me. But the inspector kept denying my claims and continued his cross questioning.”

Kritika’s lawyer, Advocate Ashutosh Srivastava, also spoke about the case and the police’s refusal to cooperate in the sensitive case. He said, “In 2014, the Hon. Supreme Court of India, said in its judgement with respect to the Lalita Kumari Vs Govt of UP case, that it is mandatory for the police to register an FIR on the basis of a complaint. But inspector Badgujar wanted to conduct an inquiry and we were not given any other valid reason for the refusal to file the FIR. We did not ask for any action to be taken against anyone. Based on Kritika’s recorded statement, the police should have filed the first information report (FIR). Since they’ve not acted on our complaint, Kritika had to write to the Ministry of Home Affairs in Maharashtra and to the Commissioner of Police, Mumbai. We’ve filed the complaint on October 20 and mailed it to the Ministry office via speed post.” According to Srivastava, the concerned authorities have to take action in such matters within seven days.

Kritika has been following up with the concerned authorities every day and she’s also revealed that the Versova police station has filed an FIR but not acknowledged it. She revealed, “I have seen the FIR copy, it was prepared and ready, they even made me sign for it, but then, the inspector refused to give it to us. He cited a reason that his seniors had told him not to register an FIR. I’ve been trying to call the inspector but he’s stopped taking my calls. Almost a week later, I still don’t have an FIR; I just want justice.” Kritika says that she’s been tweeting about it every day, but no one has helped her out yet.

The complaint filed to the Ministry of Home Affairs put forth the following point: “…strict action should be taken against Mr Ravindra Badgujar, so that such women feel safe and comfortable while going to police station to register their FIR.” Kritika and her lawyer now await the Ministry’s intervention in the case so that her FIR can be formally registered against Vicky Sidana.