Veteran actor Alok Nath has reportedly gone missing after Mumbai Police registered a sexual assault case against him last month. The case was filed on the basis of complaint registered by writer-producer Vinta Nanda on October 17 at the Oshiwara police station where she accused the actor of sexually violating her nearly two decades ago. Nath has been booked for rape under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Nanda was the writer and producer of television serial Tara where Nath was the lead actor. She shared her ordeal in a detailed FB post amidst the ongoing #MeToo movement and subsequently took the legal route.
A source at Oshiwara police station told Mid Day that Alok Nath is untraceable and there is no one in his house to accept the summons issued to him.
“There was no one at his house to accept the summons letter issued to him last week,” the cops told Mid Day.
“His [Nath’s] version is equally important in the case. Last week, we had issued summons to him so that the next level of investigation in the Vinta Nanda case can be initiated but he was not at home. We don’t know where he is!” the source told the Mumbai tabloid.
The actor’s counsel Ashok Saraogi however told the tabloid that Nath is out of town for soem important work and is in touch with him. “The summons was issued but was not served as Nath is not in Mumbai. He will return to the city this week and will definitely visit Oshiwara police station. He is in touch with me. I have not read the contents of the summons,” he said.
Alok Nath had rubbished Nanda’s claims while talking to Aaj Tak. “In the current situation, if a woman accuses a man, no one will consider listening to a man’s version so it’s useless to react. I have known her. I would not like to comment on it. She has the right to put forward her thoughts. Right now, I am trying to come to terms with the whole thing. Will comment later.”
Nanda, on the other hand, is still willing to forgive Alok if he apologises. “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 told IANS a few days back.
