Complainant against Vikas Bahl refuses to pursue case, cites 'lack of faith' in police machinery

The woman who had complained of sexual harassment and molestation by director Vikas Bahl has refused to pursue the case any further. Making a statement through her lawyer, in the Bombay high court, she expressed a lack of faith in the police system and asked the representatives of Anurag Kashyap and Vikramaditya Motwane if the case could be pursued in proxy of the victim. 

The court was in session for a petition filed by Bahl seeking Rs10 crore as compensation for the defamation by his former partners at Phantom Films, Vikramaditya Motwane and Anurag Kashyap.

On 20 October, the victim had reiterated that she stood by her charges against Bahl, but refused to file an affidavit or pursue the case any further. The bench, led by Justice Kathawalla, had set aside the date for the petition till 23 October for the victim to make her statement. 

On Tuesday, counsel Navroz Seervai submitted a statement by the victim in court.

The Indian Express quoted Seervai saying, "She wants to walk away, put everything behind her and resume her normal life. In the statement, the woman has also said that the reason she has not made any police complaint is because such complaints further lead to victimisation of the sexual assault survivors." 

The report also quotes senior counsel Janak Dwarkadas, who represents Bahl in the petition, asking, "How is the court supposed to make a decision in such a case?”

The senior counsel representing Kashyap and Motwane, Venkatesh Dhond has also pointed out at more accusations from actress Kangana Ranaut, and a crew member of Bahl's film, Queen (2014) as evidence against the director. Kashyap and Motwane were present in court on Tuesday. 

The court is expected to hear more arguments for interim relief on Thursday.