The National Commission for Women (NCW) recorded the statements of actor Sonu Sood, Mahesh Bhatt, and a host of other witnesses in connection with a man and his company IMG Ventures which was allegedly blackmailing and sexually assaulting numerous women on the pretext of offering modelling opportunities.
Actors Mouni Roy and Urvashi Rautela were, however, conspicuous in their absence.
“Mouni Roy and Urvashi Rautela did not attend the scheduled hearing despite several intimations sent from our end,” the Commission said in a tweet.
Taking cognizance of a complaint filed by the People Against Rapes in India (PARI) founder Yogita Bhayana, NCW had issued summons to Mahesh Bhatt, Sonu Sood, Urvashi Rautela, Mouni Roy, Rannvijay Singh, Prince Narula, and Esha Gupta.
Bhatt has assured the commission in his online hearing that he is willing to fully cooperate in this matter.
“As a father of three girls, I have the highest regard for the cause taken up by Ms. Yogita and the National Commission for Women and express my full cooperation for the crusade,” he said.
Denying any association with IMG Ventures and the man, Sunny Verma, Bhatt further added: “I have neither entered into any agreement nor received any monetary consideration for the event. Unfortunately, my name and images were picked up from social media and misused in relation to the event without my consent and authority. When I confronted them on this, they have apologized profusely and withdrawn all my images in association with the event. I am issuing this statement to make everyone aware that I have no association with IMG Ventures, Sunny Verma, and Mr. and Miss. Glamour 2020 and my name and credibility should not be misused for promotion of the event to lure participation of others.”
(Header image: Wikimedia Commons)
