#MeToo: Maharashtra women's panel issues notices to Nana Patekar, three others on Tanushree Dutta's complaint
MUMBAI: Taking cognizance of the complaint filed by Tanushree Dutta, the Maharashtra State Women’s Commission on Tuesday issued notices to actor Nana Patekar, director Rakesh Sarang, choreographer Ganesh Acharya and Sameer Siddiqi, directing them to file a reply within 10 days.
The commission directed state police to file a report on the update in the investigation of Dutta’s complaint and also asked the actress to appear before it in person to record her statement.
The commission directed the Cine and TV Artistes’ Association (CINTAA) and other associations of cine and television artists to form committees for redressal of such issues and asked the police to file a report on whether these associations are capable of taking any action in such cases.
Dutta had lodged a formal complaint with the police on Monday and with the women’s commission through her lawyer. She has alleged that Patekar harassed her on the sets of a film in 2008 while shooting for a special dance number and the others named in the complaint also teamed up against her. She had lodged a complaint in this regard with CINTAA in March 2008.
Patekar has denied the allegations and sent a legal notice to the actress.
Meanwhile, the CINTAA said a show-cause notice would be sent to actor Alok Nath, whom writer-producer Vinta Nanda has accused of rape.
Assuring that the association would extend full support to her, CINTAA general secretary Sushant Singh urged Nanda to file a formal complaint. Nanda levelled the rape charge against Nath in a Facebook post.