Alok Nath gets anticipatory bail as court states Vinta Nanda accused him of rape for 'own benefit'

In a major blow to the ongoing 'Me Too' movement,  a sessions court in Mumbai granted anticipatory bail to actor Alok Nath who has been accused of raping TV producer-writer Vinta Nanda. 

The court observed, while announcing the bail,  that Vinta Nanda "did not lodge the report immediately after the alleged incident for her own benefit".  The court has also observed that "possibility cannot be ruled out that the applicant (Alok Nath) has been falsely accused in the crime".

Back in October, Nanda in a tell-all post on Facebook had stated that Nath had raped her 20 years ago and she had only spoken up now. Nanda had not filed a case against the actor then as she was told that since Alok Nath is a big actor, no one would believe her story. 

On Tuesday, the court took into consideration the arguments made by Nath’s lawyer that there were discrepancies in the complaint that Nanda filed. The court questioned Nanda's statement and said that she could remember "the entire incident but she did not remember the date and month of the incident". The court concluded that there was a "possibility that Alok Nath was being falsely accused of the crime".

Since both were married when the incident took place, the court said that the medical examination would not yeild a proper result. Besides, the alleged incident took place at Nanda's residence and court said it would not be possible for the actor to remove all evidences. 

Earlier on Satrurday, Alok Nath was granted an anticipatory bail but on conditions that he would not visit Nanda's residence and he would not threaten or bribe anyone associated to the case. 

Soon after Nanda's post went viral, the actor had filed a defamation case against her. Nanda had then filed an FIR against Alok Nath, alleging rape. Nanda's post alos encouraged other women to speak up against the actor. Actresses Sandhya Mridul and Deepika Amin also accused him of sexual misconduct.