In the statement, the woman, a former employee of production and distribution house Phantom Films, has accused Bahl of sexually harassing her in 2015 when she worked with the company.
The woman who has levelled sexual harassment charges against film director Vikas Bahl on Thursday filed an affidavit in the Bombay High Court stating she stood by her statement, and pleading the with the court not to disbelieve her.
In the statement, the woman, a former employee of production and distribution house Phantom Films, has accused Bahl of sexually harassing her in 2015 when she worked with the company.
Senior counsel Navroz Serwai, appearing for the woman, said, "It would add insult to injury if my word is disbelieved. Therefore, overcoming my reluctance, I file a short affidavit and stand by my statement given earlier."
Bahl has filed a defamation case against his former company partners, Anurag Kashyap and Vikramaditya Motwane, and sought Rs 10 crore in damages from them. He has also sought orders restraining them from making any remarks to the media on the matter or putting out any statements on social media in the wake of the allegations made against him.
Justice SJ Kathawala, who has been hearing the case, said, "Let all parties file their affidavits. The woman can go through them and if required, reply to them." He posted the matter for further hearing on November 21.
In the last hearing, the woman told the court she did not wish to lodge a police complaint since "processes have failed to achieve any measure of accountability, but lead only to further victimization of sexual assault survivors."
She had said court she did not want to pursue the case and wanted not to be impleaded in the defamation complaint filed by Bahl.
This request was opposed by the filmmaker, who said his image had been tarnished and he wouldn't be able to put forth his case if the court did not trial the case.
Kashyap and Motwane have opposed grant of any relief to Bahl, saying it would be against public interest as it might adversely affect #MeToo women's movement.
DIRECTORS' CUT
- Anurag Kashyap and Vikramaditya Motwane had argued in the court that Vikas Bahl himself confessed to Kashyap about the alleged wrongdoing even apologised to Kashyap.
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