Alok Nath files Re 1 defamation suit against Vinta Nanda

Bollywood actor Alok Nath on Monday filed a civil suit in a court here against writer-director Vinta Nanda in connection with her rape accusations against him, and sought Re 1 as damages for allegedly defaming him.

Alok Nath's wife Ashu, meanwhile, recorded her statement before a magistrate in connection with her complaint against Nanda and sought that defamation proceedings be initiated against the writer-director.

Responding to the development, Nanda's lawyer Dhruti Kapadia said they are going to fight the matter legally.

Alok Nath moved the Dindoshi sessions court here with a civil suit seeking Re 1 as damages and an apology from Nanda for defaming him.

The actor and his wife had Saturday filed an application before the Andheri Metropolitan Magistrate, seeking a direction to the suburban Amboli police station to take cognisance of the letter sent by them in which they sought defamation proceedings against Nanda.

The actor's wife on Monday appeared before Magistrate R M Nerlikar, who recorded her statement and complaint.

She told the court that their (Nath and Ashu's) reputation has been damaged because of the allegations levelled by Nanda.

The magistrate has now posted the matter for further hearing on November 1, when the court will also record statements of three witnesses on behalf of Nath and his wife.

In a social media post last week, Nanda had alleged that the actor had raped her 19 years ago.

Although she did not name Nath in her post, she referred to him as the actor who is known as the "most Sanskari person" in the field of acting.

Nath is known for playing characters endorsing 'moral values' in films such as "Maine Pyaar Kiya", "Hum Aapke Hain Koun!", "Hum Saath Saath Hain" and "Vivah".

His lawyer Ashok Sarogi had last Thursday refuted the allegations as "baseless" and "devoid of any merit".

The complaint filed by the couple says, "The complainants (Nath and Ashu) have on October 12 addressed a letter to the Amboli police seeking action under sections 499 (defamation) and 500 of the Indian Penal Code against Nanda."
In a statement, Nanda's lawyer Dhruti Kapadia said, "The so called defamation proceedings are not served upon us as yet - however and whatever the proceedings will be, we will deal with everything following due process of law."