Daily Times

Two weeks ago, a show-cause notice was issued to director Sajid Khan by the Indian Film And Television Directors’ Association (IFTDA), following a series of sexual harassment allegations levelled against him by four women, according to an Indian publication. The filmmaker has now responded to the notice, saying, “I apologise to IFTDA if any embarrassment has been caused to the association by the alleged accusation against me. These allegations have not only caused irreparable harm to my career, but more importantly, grieved my mother and sister immensely. At the outset, I deny the complaints levelled against me as stated in your notice. I humbly request you to not to form any one-sided judgement. I am always happy to extend any cooperation to my association.” Following this, a meeting between Sajid and members of the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) of the IFTDA has been scheduled for tomorrow, November 1. The association has responded to Sajid, stating, “We have scheduled a meeting of IFTDA ICC on Thursday, November 1 at IFTDA office to hear you for the POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) Act enquiry, which is based on the principle of natural justice and the alleged harasser is provided an opportunity before any disciplinary action is taken. Therefore, attend the meeting as scheduled.” Ashoke Pandit, the president of IFTDA, told BT, “Four complaints were received by us against Sajid Khan, which the ICC committee felt were serious. Hence, it was important to hear his side also before taking any decision. IFTDA and its mother body FWICE (Federation of Western India Cine Employees) have taken up this issue seriously. Having said that, we will also not allow anybody to misuse this law.” A similar meeting has also been scheduled for Alok Nath on the same day. Writer-director Vinta Nanda had accused him of sexual harassment.

Published in Daily Times, November 1^st 2018.