National Commission of Women states decision taken after complainant failed to furnish ‘communication/substantial evidence’; Chairperson Rekha Sharma says they’re willing to reopen case if she comes forward or brings more evidence
Roshmila Bhattacharya and Alka Dhupkar (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 17, 2020)

Anu Malik has been mired in controversy over the last two years, since the #MeToo movement exploded in India. He was forced to step down as the judge of the singing reality show, Indian Idol, after being called out by several women, including singers Sona Mohapatra, Shweta Pandit, Caralisa Monteiro, Neha Bhasin and former Indian Idol producer Danica D’Souza. After his return for the 11th season of the Sony TV show last November, the makers were slammed for taking him back.

Anu responded with an open letter on November 14, saying, “Ever since the false and unverified allegations were levelled against me, it has not only ruined my reputation, but affected me and my family’s mental health, left us traumatised and tarnished my career. I feel helpless, like I am being cornered and suffocated… The show must go on. But behind this happy face, I’m in pain. I’m in a dark space. And justice is all I want.”

Sona reacted with an open letter of her own, stating, “‘Unverified’ allegations, you say? These are multiple testimonies of independent, sane women, speaking coherently & they have a common thread & story.” She stated that he had no right to be platformed on National TV till he made amends. “You aren’t a role model. You could always take a break, go to a sex-rehab or counselling or somewhere to reflect on how to behave better.” She ended by telling him to step down, go to court.

Following this, Sony Entertainment Television announced that Anu had conveyed to the channel that he wants to step down till his name is cleared. While Sona had welcomed the move, Anu had refused to comment.

Now, Mirror is in possession of a letter dated January 3, 2020, written by Barnali Shome, Under Secretary, National Commission for Women, to Madhuri Malhotra, head, Standards & Practices, Sony Pictures Networks India Private Limited, stating that the NCW had taken cognizance of Sona’s Twitter post, wherein it was alleged that ignoring the testimonies of multiple women of sexual harassment and assault, a person (Anu Malik) was made “a judge for youngsters on national television”.

“The Commission is in receipt of your response dated 06/12/2019 in the matter. In view of the above, I am directed to apprise you that the Commission has closed the case due to lack of communication/ substantial evidence sought from the complainant,” the letter states.

When Mirror spoke to Rekha Sharma, chairperson, NCW, she confirmed that a week ago the letter had been sent to Anu Malik. “Responding to a complaint, we wrote to the complainant. She said she was traveling and whenever she returns, she will visit us. We waited for around 45 days. We had also asked for some documents, but after that she never responded. The complainant had informed us that there are more women who have complaints against Anu Malik and we told her that they can also file a complaint with us but none of them have responded yet. This is not a permanent closure of the case. If the complainant comes forward or brings more evidence or submits any kind of document, we can reopen it.”

Samarth Goyal (BOMBAY TIMES; November 16, 2019)

Music composer Anu Malik’s long-awaited explanation on sexual harassment allegations, were greeted with fiery rebuttals by musicians who has accused him of sexual misconduct. Sona Mohapatra tweeted her eight-point reply, saying, “Anu Malik finally wrote back to all of us last evening. My response to him, next to his letter. In case mine is too long to read, have also attached a shorter, crisper one. #India @IndiaMeToo.”

Earlier on Thursday, Malik broke his year-long silence, posting a lengthy explanation, saying that he is wrongly accused. “It has been over a year that I’ve been accused of something that I haven’t done. I’ve been silent all this while as I was waiting for the truth to surface on its own. But I realise that my silence on the matter has been misconstrued as my weakness,” he wrote, adding the allegations have taken a toll on his and his family’s mental health and has left him “traumatised, tarnishing my career.”

Sona questioned Malik, who throughout his post, defended himself by saying that he wouldn’t commit “the acts he is accused of”, since he is a father of “ two daughters”. “Being a father of two daughters doesn’t prove anything. Clearly it hasn’t held your libido back. History has shown us that multiple times in multiple real live stories. ‘Some’ Men will just be that .. .The show must go on. Without you. Don’t jeopardise the hard work of so many people & the dreams of so many contestants just for your personal glory & ambitions,” she wrote.

Sona concluded the response by accepting Malik’s challenge of taking the legal route. Singer Neha Bhasin has also accepted Malik’s challenge, saying, “My intention has never been to spoil anyone’s career. But I think that’s inconsequential to me standing up to someone who has wronged women. As far as him going to court is concerned, that is his legal right and mine as well, to defend. So I’m not afraid to do that. Also, I want to be with Sona and join alliances with all women who have been wronged to bring justice to the table.”
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Singer Sona Mohapatra came out strongly against composer Anu Malik's open letter defending himself against allegations of sexual molestation
MID-DAY (November 16, 2019)

Singer Sona Mohapatra on Friday came out strongly against composer Anu Malik's open letter defending himself against allegations of sexual molestation, which were first levelled against him by Mohapatra in 2018. Thereafter, singers Neha Bhasin and Shweta Pandit had also accused Malik of sexual harassment.

On Thursday evening, Malik in his open letter on social media claimed that he feels "cornered" and "suffocated". The composer shared that he is going through a "dark phase", is "traumatised" and wants justice.

Responding to Malik in a long Instagram post, Mohapatra suggested that the composer should go for sex-rehab. Countering Malik's charge that her allegations were "false and unverified", the singer said the only truth in the matter was that "many more women" of the music industry had come out to level harassment charges against Malik.

Mohapatra wrote: "The only 'truths' that have surfaced after I called you out last year is that many more women have told their stories of sexual harassment, assault experiences with you. @shwetapandit7 told of her trauma of how you scarred her at a young age of 15. Danica D'Souza, Ex Indian Idol Producer told of how you harassed crew & contestants alike. Caralisa Monteiro spoke up too. Neha Bhasin spoke up a fortnight ago about her own story with you & many more who aren't known did too & in detail. Alisha Chinai corroborated the pattern & spoke her truth too. None of these women are connected or have anything to gain by speaking up about the predatory behaviour of one powerful, rich, perverted man."

The singer also highlighted the effect of his sexual misconduct on the mental health of the victims. She wrote: 'Unverified' allegations you say? These are multiple testimonies of independent sane women speaking coherently & they have a common story. What about the 'mental health' of all these people who have gone through this traumatic experience because of you? Did you care about them over these years? What about the mental health of the good India & all the victims & their families when they see you flaunting yourself on TV & Encouraging others like you?"

Last year, after Mohapatra's allegations first cropped up, Malik had to step down as judge of Sony TV's singing reality show "Indian Idol" Season 10. The controversy was reignited this year when the channel invited him back and Malik resumed his position as judge on Season 11 of the show.

Sona claimed that the composer is a "predator" and has no right to enjoy such a position on national television.

She further wrote on Instagram: "You have no right to be platformed on National TV till you make amends. 1.3 billion people exist in India. Not everyone needs to make crores on TV to survive or be 'judge' to young people whose safety they jeopardise. You aren't a role model. You could always take a break, go to a sex-rehab or counselling or somewhere to reflect on how to behave better. Ask your kids to do a hard days job & earn a salary. They are adults now. I started working at 22. Open a biriyani shop. Stay away from the public eye? Show remorse? Say sorry? If you did, this would not have happened. There you go! You answered your own Q. Show off shamelessly on TV & we be quiet?"

In his open letter, Malik had mentioned that "being a father of two daughters, I can't imagine committing the acts that I am accused of, let alone do it".

To which Sona countered: "Having two daughters has no link to being a predator," responded Sona. For those who had earlier accused her of trying to jeopardise "Indian Idol", a show that promotes bidding musical talent, she said: The show must go on. Without you. Don't jeopardise the hard work of so many & the dreams of so many contestants just for you. STEP DOWN."

Earlier on Thursday, the composer had claimed in his letter that the allegations against him are "false and unverified". He also alleged that these allegations have affected his and his family's mental health.

In the letter that Malik had shared on Twitter, he wrote: "It has been over a year that I have been accused of something that I haven't done. I have been silent all this while as I was waiting for the truth to surface on its own. But I realise that my silence on the matter has been misconstrued as my weakness."

"Ever since the false and unverified allegations were levelled against me, it has not only ruined my reputation, but affected me and my family's mental health, left us traumatised, and tarnished my career. I feel helpless, like I am being cornered and suffocated."

The 59-year-old composer, who is a father of two, also questioned why these allegations were not spoken about earlier.

"It's disgraceful that at this age, at this stage in my life I have to watch the most slanderous words and horrifying incidents being associated with my name."

"Why wasn't this spoken about before? Why do these allegations resurface only when I am back on television, which is currently my only source of livelihood?"

Malik had also threatened that he would take legal action to "safeguard" himself. "Fighting a battle on social media is an endless process, at the end of which nobody wins. If this keeps on continuing, I will have no option but to knock on the doors of the courts to safeguard myself," he tweeted.

He concluded his open letter saying: "I would like to thank all my well-wishers who have been with me and my family through this dark phase. I don't know how much more slander and dirt my family and I can take. The show must go on. But behind this happy face, I'm in pain. I'm in a dark space. And justice is all I want."

In an exclusive chat with BT, singer Caralisa Monteiro talks about the composer’s alleged attempt to invite her home 15 years ago
Soumya Vajpayee (BOMBAY TIMES; October 22, 2018)

After singers Sona Mohapatra and Shweta Pandit, the latest female singer to join the bandwagon of those speaking up against composer Anu Malik, who has been accused of sexual harassment as part of the #MeToo campaign, is Bollywood playback singer Caralisa Monteiro.

Talking to BT, she said, “There were always people (like him). I just didn’t play into their ways and always believed that my voice is why they will always want me back. So, while I have never been abused or violated, I’ve had a specific incident with Anu Malik. I had to tell him that I only work in a studio. This happened almost 15 years ago, when I was starting out. I have never worked with him since.”

Explaining the incident, the singer, known for hits like Nashe Si Chadh Gayi (Befikre, 2016), Ranga Re (Fitoor, 2016), among others, said, “Anu Malik wanted me to come over to his place to jam with him. He was insistent that I came home, as that’s how it was done. And I told him, ‘If you need me to sing a song since I’m a professional recording artiste, I will meet you at the studio, take the brief and then track’. So, when I met him later, I went with my dear friend Clinton (Cerejo, singer), because I was uncomfortable going alone. Everyone knew the kind of individual Anu Malik was/is.”