Tanushree Dutta started the #MeToo wave in India, specifically in Bollywood. Speaking against Nana Patekar and choreographer Ganesh Acharya for sexually harassing her, Dutta’s courage gave many women the strength to share their #MeToo experiences. But now looks like, Dutta and Patekar’s #MeToo controversy will hit the dead-end soon as the Mumbai police states that witnesses’ statements don't support Tanushree’s version. Cops also say that none of them can recall the incident that happened during the shoot of an item song for the movie Horn Ok Pleassss, way back in 2008.
A report in Mid-day states, “According to the police, they have so far recorded the statements of 12 to 15 witnesses, including actor Daisy Shah, who was assistant to choreographer Ganesh Acharya during the song's shoot. The witnesses are mainly backstage dancers and other workers who were present on set. Police sources said that none of their statements corroborated Tanushree's statement and the sexual harassment allegations made by her against Nana. Daisy had recorded her statement in November last year, and as per sources, she told the cops that she was unable to recall the incident.”
A senior officer told the tabloid, “Several statements in the matter have been recorded, but most of them don't support her allegations. The reason behind this is people cannot recall the incident. Some only remember about the delay during the shoot, but not about any harassment faced by the actor. As the matter is 10 years old, it's taking a lot of time to track down the people who were present at the time of the incident. The witnesses' statements are very important to take the investigation forward.”
While Senior PI Shailesh Pasalwad told Mid-Day, "The investigation is at a crucial stage, hence won't be able to comment on it."
Reacting to the cop’s statement, Tanushree told Mid-day "Who are these 15 witnesses? Are they from my side or Nana's side? They are Nana's friends, then why will they corroborate my story. I don't need witnesses to prove that I was harassed. The truth is sometimes difficult to prove in a court of law when it comes to harassment. The cops have been so slow with the probe. Most of the people from whom they are taking statements are the ones who watched me getting harassed and did nothing to support me. So why will they now speak in my support. The mentality of people is such that they will lie to protect such criminals and prove the woman wrong."
The actress also revealed how the witnesses were being influenced. She concluded by saying, "Some of the witnesses who wish to give statements in support of my story are receiving threat calls from Nana's people. We have faced a lot of difficulty in convincing witnesses to give their statements, as they are scared. So the people who know the truth are being hounded and replaced by fake witnesses who are speaking lies. But I still have faith that all the accused will be punished, because I am fighting this battle not for myself but for those who suffer silently every day."
Image Source:Instagram/nana.patekar,iamtanushreeduttaofficial
A report in Mid-day states, “According to the police, they have so far recorded the statements of 12 to 15 witnesses, including actor Daisy Shah, who was assistant to choreographer Ganesh Acharya during the song's shoot. The witnesses are mainly backstage dancers and other workers who were present on set. Police sources said that none of their statements corroborated Tanushree's statement and the sexual harassment allegations made by her against Nana. Daisy had recorded her statement in November last year, and as per sources, she told the cops that she was unable to recall the incident.”
A senior officer told the tabloid, “Several statements in the matter have been recorded, but most of them don't support her allegations. The reason behind this is people cannot recall the incident. Some only remember about the delay during the shoot, but not about any harassment faced by the actor. As the matter is 10 years old, it's taking a lot of time to track down the people who were present at the time of the incident. The witnesses' statements are very important to take the investigation forward.”
While Senior PI Shailesh Pasalwad told Mid-Day, "The investigation is at a crucial stage, hence won't be able to comment on it."
Reacting to the cop’s statement, Tanushree told Mid-day "Who are these 15 witnesses? Are they from my side or Nana's side? They are Nana's friends, then why will they corroborate my story. I don't need witnesses to prove that I was harassed. The truth is sometimes difficult to prove in a court of law when it comes to harassment. The cops have been so slow with the probe. Most of the people from whom they are taking statements are the ones who watched me getting harassed and did nothing to support me. So why will they now speak in my support. The mentality of people is such that they will lie to protect such criminals and prove the woman wrong."
The actress also revealed how the witnesses were being influenced. She concluded by saying, "Some of the witnesses who wish to give statements in support of my story are receiving threat calls from Nana's people. We have faced a lot of difficulty in convincing witnesses to give their statements, as they are scared. So the people who know the truth are being hounded and replaced by fake witnesses who are speaking lies. But I still have faith that all the accused will be punished, because I am fighting this battle not for myself but for those who suffer silently every day."
Image Source:Instagram/nana.patekar,iamtanushreeduttaofficial