After being expelled by Cine and Television Artistes’ Association (CINTAA) last year following the rape accusation by TV producer Vinta Nanda and a subsequent FIR, Alok Nath finds himself in trouble again.
While CINTAA’s expulsion had come after his no-show at the body’s meeting on 12 November to present his case, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has now imposed a six-month ban on the actor for “non-co-operation”.
FWICE is the mother body of the Indian Film and Television Director’s Association (IFTDA).
In a tabloid Pune Mirror report, IFTDA president Ashoke Pandit revealed that the POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) committee was informed about the sexual harassment case filed against Nath by the victim and due procedure was being followed.
“Alok Nath was summoned thrice by the ICC (Internal Complaints Committee) but he didn’t turn up for any of the meetings. Since he blatantly refused to co-operate with IFTDA’s mandate of providing a secure workplace for women, we reached out to FWICE for a six-month ban which was approved on Thursday. Alok Nath has been duly informed,” Pandit said in a statement to Pune Mirror.
During the #MeToo movement that gathered steam in India last year, Nanda had accused Nath, the leading man of her hit 1990s TV show, Tara, of raping her twice 19 years ago.