#MeToo: Sajid Khan received this as a PENALTY from IFTDA!

MeToo movement was the talk around the town a few months back and as it gained momentum many renowned B-town celebs were accused of sexual misconduct. Filmmaker Sajid Khan was accused of sexual harassment by actor Rachel White, assistant director Saloni Chopra and a journalist.

On October 31, Bombay Times had reported that director Sajid Khan had agreed to appear before the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) set up by the Indian Film and Television Directors' Association (IFTDA) in keeping with the POSH Act's guidelines.

The filmmaker appeared before the ICC on November 1 to put forth his defence, but he did not give any explanation, response or defence to the allegations. He did not accept that he had sexually molested the complainants but admitted that his behaviour and language was impolite and that he had been brash and had used abusive language with his friends, which included boys and girls. He admitted that he had sexual relations with girls, but with their consent.

Following the POSH Investigation Closure Report of December 7, 2018 IFTDA following the ICC's recommendation, has suspended Sajid's membership for a period of one year with immediate effect, which will be reviewed after a year. A copy of the letter was sent to Sajid last evening.

Shrabani Deodhar elaborated, "IFTDA's ICC had marathon meetings and have come to the conclusion of cancelling Sajid Khan's membership for one year, which will be revived after the completion of that period. The committee also felt that the complaints against Sajid, though they belonged to different periods of time, sounded the same. Hence, his modus operandi of abusing the dignity and honour of women were the same. We, therefore, have unanimously come to the conclusion of terminating his membership for one year. This will set an example in the industry for people in the seat of power to behave themselves."

The filmmaker has been suspended from IFTDA for one year.

Stay tuned for more updates.

(Credits: Bombay Times)