Tanushree Dutta- Nana Patekar controversy: The actress must back her complain to expedite process, says NCW official

In a series of media interviews, Bollywood actress Tanushree Dutta recently elaborated her ordeal and accused veteran actor Nana Patekar of allegedly harassing her during the shoot of a song from the film Horn Ok Pleassss in 2008. The actress also accused filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri of allegedly asking her to strip and dance on the film sets. In her latest statement, she has been slapped with two legal notices by Patekar and Agnihotri, for speaking out against harassment and injustice.

Tanushree in her statement was quoted saying, ‘’I have been slapped with two legal notices. One from Nana Patekar and another from Vivek Agnihotri. Both their teams are on a smear campaign against me by constructing outright lies and misinformation on social media platforms and other public platforms." She further added, "This is the price you pay for speaking out against harassment, humiliation, and injustice in India."

And now National Commission for Women (NCW), has come up to her defense. A report of Mid-Day stated that a third-party case was registered with the NCW by advocate Gaurav Gulati yesterday.

In the report it was stated that the complainant urged the National Commission for Women to look into the matter and the harassment allegations levelled by Tanushree against actor Patekar and filmmaker Agnihotri. Further the complainant also requested the organisation to file a FIR independently with the Delhi Crime branch as "respondent is politically activated and can affect investigation in Maharashtra (sic)".

Also Read: Govt not biased towards Nana Patekar, police will probe if Tanushree Dutta files a complaint, says Minister

The complaint read as, "Tanushree Dutta was harassed on the sets of Horn Ok Pleassss... CINTAA, too, refused to adhere to the laid down guidelines of the laws regarding sexual harassment at workplace (Vishaka & Ors v. State of Rajasthan, 1997). As per the CRPC and Limitation act, there is no bar for registering a case on sexual offences if the victim gives reasonable justification for delay."

Also Read: Tanushree Dutta slapped with legal notices by Nana Patekar, Vivek Agnihotri; alleges two men tried to enter her house

Meanwhile, the NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma, stated, "The complaint was received at 4 pm yesterday. The investigation will begin today. It would be advisable if the victim backs the complaint to expedite the process."