Indian veteran actor Alok Nath booked under rape charges
Vinta Nanda says she's 'willing to forgive, if remorse is shown'
PHOTO: INDIAN EXPRESS
The Mumbai Police have booked film actor Alok Nath on the charge of rape following a complaint lodged by Vinta Nanda over a month ago, an official said on Wednesday.
The victim had lodged the complaint with Oshiwara Police on October 17 after Nath hit back by filing a defamation case against her in a Mumbai Magistrate Court, reported BBC.
Among other things, Nanda had accused Nath of allegedly raping her nearly 19 years ago when they worked together.
The actor had denied all the allegations levelled by the victim and lodged the defamation case demanding Rs1 as damages and a written apology from her.
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Earlier this month, the powerful Cine & TV Artistes Association had expelled him after the rape charges came to the fore.
With an FIR for rape lodged against the actor, Nanda now said she is "willing to forgive" but "show some remorse, repentance", so she knows he will never violate another woman again.
"I was never in this for revenge. I want correction, not revenge. Show some remorse, show some sign of repentance. Let me know that no other woman would be violated by you the way I was. All I see right now is an attitude of defiance and shamelessness. If that's the way it is going to be, then I'll see my fight for justice to the end," she said.
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About taking the battle legal, Nanda commented, "Actually the FIR was lodged on Tuesday. The media got wind of it on Wednesday morning and all hell broke loose. And I mean that in a good way. If it wasn't for the media, my fight for justice would never have come so far. I am lucky to have such invaluable support from my friends, my family and from the media who have pitched in their trust behind my fight."
But is she ready for a long lonely legal battle ahead?
"Firstly, it's not a lonely battle. I have my mother, family and several close friends with me. As for the legal battle ahead I am very well armed and equipped," she shared. "Three of the brightest young lawyers of Mumbai - Dhruti Kapadia, Faranaaz Kharbhari and Kunal Tiwari - are fighting my case free of cost. They believe in my fight."
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"Today I can dare to face a legal battle without fearing the financial burden," the 48-year-old said.
She feels what the #MeToo movement has done is awaken the nation's conscience to their responsibilities as citizens. "There is just no room or tolerance for inappropriate behaviour any more," she said, adding that her fight for justice is not her own.
"There are so many women out there who have been raped, molested, harassed, eveteased," continued Nanda. "Men who thought troubling women was their birthright have been forced to reconsider their patriarchal definitions of gender relations. What seemed 'normal' to them earlier will land them in serious trouble now. And they know it. That's the difference."
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She said she is surprised at how Nath refuses to acknowledge the wrong he has done. "He is brazening it out when he should have apologised. Instead he got his wife to speak on his behalf. That is so sad."
"In our society women still feel like standing by their husbands - no matter how wrong they are - is their duty. Men take advantage of this unconditional spousal support," she added.
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