Sexual assault case: Anurag Kashyap denies allegations, seeks severe action against Payal Ghosh for ‘misusing the criminal justice system’

New Delhi: Bollywood director Anurag Kashyap on Friday denied all the allegations by Payal Ghosh.

He has sought severe action against the actress for “misusing” the criminal justice system, his lawyer said on Friday.

Last month (September), the actress had filed an FIR against Anurag Kashyap accusing him of sexually assaulting her. Kashyap had yesterday appeared before the Versova police station in Mumbai for questioning in the matter.

Statement issued by Anurag’s advocate said

“Mr. Kashyap has denied all wrongdoing in the matter and has provided his statement to the police. The material provided by Mr. Kashyap, in support of his statement, demonstrates that the complaint of Ms. Ghosh is an outright lie. Mr. Kashyap has provided documentary proof of the fact that throughout August, 2013 he was away in Sri Lanka in connection with the shooting of one of his films. Mr. Kashyap has categorically denied that any such alleged incident ever took place and has also denied all allegations levelled against him.

The statement  further read, “These sudden, belated allegations of an alleged incident of August, 2013 have been widely publicised by the Complainant for the purpose of vilifying Mr. Kashyap, irrespective of the outcome of the judicial process. Mr. Kashyap is confident that the falsity of the complaint has been exposed, not only by the evidence presented by Mr. Kashyap, but also the ever-shifting version of events put forth by Ms. Ghosh in the media. Mr. Kashyap is apprehensive that now that the falsity of her allegations in the FIR have been established, she will alter her version of events in the investigative process as well.”

“Mr. Kashyap is distressed with the false and reckless allegations made against him that have caused pain to him, his family and his fans. Mr. Kashyap intends to vigorously pursue the legal remedies available to him. Mr. Kashyap vehemently denies any such incident, as has been alleged, and has sought for severe action against Ms. Ghosh for misusing the criminal justice system and for hijacking the Me Too Movement for her ulterior motives. Mr. Kashyap is confident that justice will prevail,” read the statement.

It was on September 20 that the actress had accused Anurag Kashyap of sexual harassment and later filed an FIR against him.

Payal Gosh said that five years ago she had met Anurag Kashyap regarding work. He called her to his house. When she went there, he took her to a separate room and tried to sexually assault me. He forced himself on her.