The Andheri Magistrate Court in Mumbai has dismissed the First Information Report (FIR) filed by actress Tanushree Dutta against actor Nana Patekar, related to an alleged incident of sexual harassment reported to have occurred on March 23, 2008. Tanushree initially filed the complaint with the Oshiwara police station on October 10, 2018.
The court determined that the FIR was time-barred under the Limitation Act, meaning it was filed too late for legal action to be taken. Additionally, the police had submitted a summary report due to insufficient evidence supporting the claims made by Tanushree. It was noted that over 100 individuals were present on the film set during the alleged incident but no strong evidence was found.
Tanushree did not request an extension for the delay in filing her complaint, leading to the court’s decision. Advocate Padma Shelatkar, representing Patekar and others involved, expressed confusion over the accusations, stating that these claims seemed motivated by a desire to damage reputations built over years of hard work.
She noted, “Some individuals exploit the legal system to attack well-respected figures in the industry, which is not only unfair but also causes significant distress. My clients have faced considerable hardship during these past seven years.”
Following the court’s ruling, Shelatkar expressed satisfaction with the outcome, emphasizing the case as a warning against false allegations that may arise under the #MeToo movement. She remarked on the importance of trust in the legal system and the relief felt due to the court’s decision.
