#MeToo: Tanushree Dutta files FIR against Nana Patekar and 3 others

Mumbai Police has started an investigation regarding an FIR lodged by Tanushree Dutta against actor Nana Patekar, Ganesh Acharya, the film's producer Samee Siddhiqui and director Rakesh Sarang on charges of sexually harassing her on the sets of a 2008 film, said the actress' lawyer.

Offences have been registered against them under IPC section 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman), the official said, adding that no arrest has been made so far.

Police will record statements of witnesses before summoning Nana Patekar and three others in connection with a complaint of sexual harassment filed by actor Tanushree Dutta, an official said on Thursday, October 11.

The investigation is at a preliminary stage. Since it is a 10-year-old case, police need to verify all the facts first, the official, privy to the probe, said. "As part of the probe, we will record statements of all witnesses related to the case before summoning the accused," he said.

Asked about Tanushree's protection, Satpute said: "Tanushree has been protected by the police. Security has been provided at the building where her residence is."

Tanushree first spoke about Nana's misbehaviour in 2008. Two weeks ago, she recounted her experience in the wake of the global #Metoo movement.

She said she was sexually harassed by the actor during the shooting of a dance sequence for the film "Horn Ok Pleasss" at the Filmstan Studio. Dutta had also claimed that she had complained to the song's choreographer Ganesh Acharya, but she was forced to do scenes which were intimate and included Patekar touching her inappropriately.

She said she was forced into silence a decade ago.

Meanwhile, a group of women activists staged a protest outside the Oshiwara Police Station, demanding proper investigation into the case and arrest of Patekar, if the allegations against him were found to be correct.

After Dutta had decided to walk out of the film in 2008, her car was vandalised by goons who, she alleged, were from the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).

The Maharashtra State Commission for Women had issued notices to Patekar, Siddiqui, Acharya and Sarang. The commission also wrote to Mumbai police, seeking information on the action it had taken on Dutta's complaint.

Patekar has denied he misbehaved with Dutta on the sets of the film, calling her claims a "lie". The 67-year-old actor's lawyer has sent a legal notice to Dutta.

Now, ever since Tanushree has renewed the allegation against Nana, it has sparked a #MeToo firestorm in India, with women from all quarters coming forward to share their own experiences at their workplace.

(with inputs from agencies)