Bombay HC on #MeToo: Movement shouldn't be misused
What's the story
On Friday, the Bombay High Court warned against misusing the #MeToo movement and said the idea of the campaign was to help the survivors in speaking up. Justice S J Kathawalla was hearing a petition filed by director Vikas Bahl against his former co-partners Anurag Kashyap and Vikramaditya Motwane seeking Rs. 10 crore in damages. He had also filed a defamation suit against three media organizations.
Court's Statement
Victim shouldn't be used by anyone: Kathawalla
Justice Kathawalla said the movement should not be hijacked by others and there should be guidelines in this regard. "I don't want anyone to shoot off the victims' shoulders. I don't want the victim to be used by anyone," Kathawalla said. The court also commented on how society has been functioning, and that a line has to be drawn.
Proceedings
Victim has suffered enough, is still suffering, her counsel says
Senior counsel Navroz Seervai, who was representing the victim, told the court, the victim has suffered enough. "She is still suffering at the hands of this man (Bahl) and she doesn't want to be party to this case," Seervai said. In return, the court told Seervai to furnish a written statement by the victim on Tuesday.
Details
Justice suggests to settle matter with former partners outside court
About Bahl's legal route against his erstwhile partners, the court said they should consider settling the matter out of court. Bahl had also sought a restraining order on publishing and re-publishing of articles about him, which he alleged were defamatory. There have been multiple allegations of sexual misconduct on Bahl, with even Kangana Ranaut speaking out against his problematic behavior.