Probe Vinta Nanda case against Alok Nath quickly: NCW to Maharashtra DGP

In a letter addressed to Maharashtra DGP Datta Padsalgikar, dated October 22, NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma pointed out that Nanda, who has filed a police complaint against Alok Nath, has now approached the NCW for help. The letter stated that Nanda “apprehends threat to her life and seeks police protection”.

Sharma wrote: “The complainant has shared the horrendous incident that took place in 1999 through a social media post… I, therefore, refer the matter to you in terms of section 10 of NCW Act, 1990, to personally intervene for proper investigation in the matter. NCW may be kindly apprised regarding action taken in the matter within 15 days.”

READ | Alok Nath files Re 1 defamation case against Vinta Nanda

Nanda’s complaint is one of six that have reached the NCW since the Commission announced a dedicated email address — ncw.metoo@gmail.com — to deal with all cases of sexual assault or harassment emerging in the wake of the MeToo movement in India.

On October 8, Nanda, in a Facebook post, had detailed her ordeal of being allegedly sexually violated by Alok Nath of the popular 1990s TV show Tara, which she was producing and writing at the time. Nanda wrote that she was allegedly sexually assaulted more than once by Nath after he was removed from the TV show for misbehaving with its lead actress, Navneet Nishan.

READ | Defamation suits won’t intimidate Vinta Nanda: Lawyer

Following Nanda’s allegations, actresses Sandhya Mridul and Deepika Amin backed her and shared their own experiences of being allegedly harassed by Alok Nath.

READ | Vinta Nanda files police complaint against Alok Nath

Nanda said that she had filed the police complaint a few days ago and an FIR has still not been filed. “I am given to believe there will be certain investigations before filing the FIR…. I expect the NCW will be a very solid support system to me, going by the way it has stood up for many others recently,” she said.

Nanda, who is facing a defamation case filed by Nath’s wife Ashu Singh, said the case is up for hearing this Thursday.