Actress Kate Sharma had accused filmmaker Subhash Ghai of sexual harassment and misconduct last month. However, she has now withdrawn her FIR against Ghai as she is ‘fed up’ with the way the #MeToo campaign is being handled.
Speaking to Mid-Day, a tabloid, she said, “Yes, I have informed the Mumbai police that I want to withdraw my complaint against Subhash Ghai. I want to take care of my family and my ailing mother instead of roaming here and there to get justice for whatever has happened to me. I had never told my family about what happened; they saw me on TV and were completely disturbed.”
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Confirming the development, a senior police official told the publication, “Our officers approached Sharma again to record a detailed statement so we can begin our inquiry into the matter since she had sought some time earlier to give the statement owing to her mother's ill health. However, she then informed us in a written note that she wants to withdraw her case as her mother is unwell and she wants take care of her family.”
Speaking of how fed up she is with the way the #MeToo campaign is being treated, Sharma said, “People are really making fun of the entire #MeToo campaign. Nothing has happened, nobody has been arrested. If cops are only busy registering FIRs, then what is the use of this entire campaign? Tell me, how many people have been arrested? Cops asked me if I wanted to register an FIR, but I don't see any reason for moving ahead to get justice as whatever I had to say is in the public domain.
“We [Sharma and Ghai] were very good friends, but he destroyed everything. I've said this publicly and I'm saying it again. I am fed up of everything, hence I have withdrawn my case.”
Sharma had accused Ghai of allegedly asking her to give him a massage in a room full of people, and then forcibly trying to kiss her in August this year. She filed a complaint against the filmmaker on 12 October. The police wanted to record her statement on 25 October, but she had sought more time.
In a Twitter post, Ghai had rubbished all the allegations. “I am a great supporter of the #MeToo movement and women empowerment, but hope that those taking undue advantage of the movement do not end up diluting it for their own short time fame. I feel grief if someone is trying to harm my reputation. Anyway, my lawyers will take care of the matter," he wrote.