Denying the charges of rape and sexual harassment brought by actor Payal Ghosh, veteran filmmaker Anurag Kashyap stated on Friday that he was in Sri Lanka in 2013 on professional commitments.
Kashyap’s statement was recorded by the Versova police station on Thursday, nearly a week after Payal, who hails from Calcutta, surprised Bollywood with allegations that the filmmaker sexually harassed her in 2013 and then filed an FIR. .
Kashyap denied the allegations through a brief statement issued by his lawyer Priyanka Khimani.
“The material provided by Kashyap, in support of his statement, shows that Payal Ghosh’s complaint is a blatant lie. Kashyap has provided documentary evidence of the fact that throughout August 2013, he was in Sri Lanka in connection with the filming of one of his films, ”the statement said.
Kashyap has categorically denied that this alleged incident took place and has also denied all allegations made against him.
“These sudden and belated allegations of an alleged August 2013 incident have been widely publicized by the plaintiff for the purpose of defaming Kashyap, regardless of the outcome of the judicial process, he said.
According to Khimani, Kashyap is confident that “the falsehood of the complaint has been exposed”, not only because of the evidence presented by him, but also because of the ever-changing version of events presented by Payal Ghosh in the media.
“Kashyap fears that now that the falsehood of her allegations has been established in the FIR, she will also alter her version of events in the investigation process. Kashyap is distraught over the reckless and false accusations that have been made against him and that have caused pain to him, his family and his fans, ”he said.
Kashyap intends to “vigorously pursue the legal remedies” available to him.
“Kashyap vehemently denies any such incident, as has been alleged, and has called for severe action against Payal Ghosh for misusing the criminal justice system and hijacking the #MeToo Movement for his ulterior motives. Kashyap is confident that justice will prevail, ”he said.
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