Suit filed by actor Alok Nath: Court likely to pass order today

Nanda’s advocate, Dhruti Kapadia, told the court that her post detailing the harassment was not done with an intent to cause defamation but was the truth. She said that the #MeToo movement had given her a platform to speak.

She further submitted that an injunction order against Nanda would send a wrong signal to the women who have managed to speak up against harassment. Kapadia also argued that a “skin-saving tactic” of filing defamation suits against women will be used to harass them further and suppress them into silence and hence an injunction should not be granted.

Advocate Ashok Saraogi, representing Nath, argued that being a screenwriter, Nanda has made up a story of being raped. He accused Nanda of making allegations for money and to gain publicity. He claimed that his client is a victim of a media trial.

Sarogi also said that Nanda chose not to complain about the alleged assault when it took place nearly two decades ago and questioned why she had decided not to approach the authorities then and instead, write about her account in detail in a Facebook post earlier this month.

Kapadia said she had approached the police with a complaint and the allegations can be a matter of trial, without any such relief by way of injunction on her being granted to Alok Nath.

She also referred to his statements made in response to the Facebook post. The court is likely to decide on the suit on Friday.