For some time now, there has been a growing concern over judicial redress for victims of sexual misconduct. It is widely felt that speaking about their experiences without approaching the judiciary is not only redundant but also illegal.
However, judicial redress is now available to the women who have spoken up. Two eminent Mumbai-based lawyers, Mrunalini Deshmukh and Vaibhav Krishnan have generously volunteered to provide legal aid to victims of sexual misconduct free of fee. Confirming this significant development, Ashoke Pandit, president of the Indian Film and Television Directors’ Association (IFTDA) says,
“Unfortunately, our organisation cannot punish the guilty legally. We can only ask for a boycott of the accused. In this context, we’re very happy that Sajid Khan has been sent on leave from his directorial job in Housefull 4. By doing this, Akshay Kumar and Sajid Nadiadwala (the producer) have set the right tone for the #MeToo movement in India.”
Pandit informs that the IFTDA has sent out notices to all the accused filmmakers. “Sajid Khan, Vikas Bahl, etc. have been sent notices. We couldn’t send a notice to Nana Patekar, since he’s an actor and not a director.” (Technically, Nana is a director. He directed the Madhuri Dixit starrer Prahaar.) Pandit says their response is now awaited.
“They have been given a 10-day span to respond to the notices. If they don’t respond, they will be placed in the ‘non-cooperation list’. Thereafter the victims can seek legal redress.” In the meanwhile, two of director Sajid Khan’s alleged victims, Rachel White and Karishma Upadhyay have come forward to narrate their horrific stories to the IFTDA.
Admits Pandit, “It shook us to hear them talk about their experiences. No woman in any workplace should be subjected to this behaviour. There are serial predators in the film industry whom we’ve identified. I want them to know their time is up.”
HT25
