Actor Tanushree Dutta's lawyer held a press conference on Friday on her behalf to dismiss rumours that actor Nana Patekar had been given a clean chit by police in the sexual harassment case. She said that false witnesses are being raised to derail the investigation and mislead authorities.

In a statement issued through her lawyer, Nitin Satpute, she clarified that there was no truth to the rumours that as no witness could corroborate the charge and events mentioned in her case, Patekar had been given a clean chit by the police.

Dutta had accused Patekar of sexually harassing her in 2009 while they were filming the movie Horn Ok Pleasssss. A case has been lodged with Oshiwara police station, who confirmed Dutta's statement.

"The investigation has been slow due to constant threat calls made by those siding with the accused," said Dutta, adding, "Many of our key witnesses have been unable to record their statement owing to fear and intimidation. False witnesses have been presented in their place to mislead the investigation. Under such circumstances what manner of investigation or justice is possible? But I still have hope, no matter how long it takes." Patekar did not respond to repeated attempts made to reach him.

A senior police inspector from Oshiwara police station confirmed that Patekar has not been cleared of charges in the case and investigation is still underway. "As per legal protocol," said Satpute, "no clean chit can be given orally and there is a dedicated system in place where the accused and complainant will be summoned to ask whether there is any opposition, from either party, for a clean chit. Only after this procedure, can a summary report be filed in the case."

The advocate added that they would move an application with the Mumbai police to find out who spread rumours about Patekar's clearance. "After the case was registered, Patekar lost some work assignments as many filmmakers refused to work with actors accused of sexual harassment allegations owing to the force of the #MeToo movement. Recently another actor, who was accused of similar actions, bagged an acting job and the accused tried to gain sympathy by claiming he got a clean chit," said Satpute.

Dutta, through Satpute, now plans to move an application in court, accusing Patekar of misleading and interfering with the investigation. "Over 15 witnesses have been examined, but none of them have narrated the real facts," he said. "We will soon ask the court to allow the key witnesses to be subjected to a narco-analysis and polygraph test, which will provide clarity to the situation."

Last year, Dutta accused Patekar of trying to forcibly introduce lewd steps into the choreography of a song they were featured in. When she refused to perform them, the cast allegedly made the situation untenable and orchestrated a mob attack on the actor in her vanity van. Her family had to come to get her out of the situation, and they came under attack too.

Dutta filed an FIR against Patekar, the choreographer and the director of the movie.

TANUSHREE-NANA PATEKAR ROW

Dutta had accused Patekar of sexually harassing her in 2009

July 2018 – Former Miss India and Bollywood actor Tanushree Dutta, who is away from the country for quite some time returns to India.

September 2018 – While talking to a media channel, Tanushree alleges actor Nana Patekar of harassing her on the sets of 2009 film Horn ‘Ok’ Pleassss.

October 6, 2018 – She files a police complaint against Nana Patekar.

October 8, 2018 – Nana Patekar denies all the charges with a one line comment to the media- ‘What was the truth 10 years ago remains the same today and will continue to be tomorrow as well’.

October 11, 2018 – Police registers an FIR against Nana Patekar, choreographer Ganesh Acharya, producer Samee Siddiqui, and director Rakesh Sarang.

November 2018 – Daisy Shah who was an assistant to choreographer Ganesh Acharya then records the statement in the case

May 2019 – Police says witness statements don’t support Tanushree’s claims.

May 17, 2019 – Amid buzz that Nana Patekar is given a clean chit by the police, Tanushree claims it as a false rumour.