Singer Anu Malik, who has been accused of sexual misconduct, was no longer part of the jury panel of the singing-based reality show "Indian Idol" season 10, according to an official statement on Sunday.
The statement from Sony Entertainment Television channel said: "Anu Malik is no longer a part of the 'Indian Idol' jury panel. The show will continue its planned schedule and we will invite some of the biggest names in Indian music as guests to join Vishal Dadlani and Neha Kakkar to judge the extraordinary talent of 'Indian Idol' season 10."
Malik also shared a statement saying he is taking a break from the show. “I, Anu Malik, have decided to take a break from Indian Idol as I am currently unable to focus on my work on the show. The channel has been kind to agree for the same. Thank you,” Malik said.
Anu Malik is no longer a part of Indian Idol jury panel. The show will continue its planned schedule & we'll invite some of the biggest names in Indian music as guests to join Vishal&Neha to judge extraordinary talent of Indian Idol season 10: Sony Entertainment Television #MeToo pic.twitter.com/uJmEK1cq4X
— ANI (@ANI) October 21, 2018
He has been accused by singers Sona Mohapatra and Shweta Pandit, who called him a "paedophile" and a "sexual predator".
Shweta had said in her post that she was just 15 when Malik made her uncomfortable by asking to kiss him. “Had to go back to my worst memory as a teenage girl today to write this and speak up - its now or never. This is my #MeToo and have to warn young girls about #AnuMalik & let you know your #TimesUp @IndiaMeToo. Thank you @sonamohapatra for speaking up about him & supporting this,” she wrote on Twitter.
Had to go back to my worst memory as a teenage girl today to write this and speak up - its now or never. This is my #MeToo and have to warn young girls about #AnuMalik & let you know your #TimesUp @IndiaMeToo
— Shweta Pandit (@ShwetaPandit7) October 17, 2018
Thank you @sonamohapatra for speaking up about him & supporting this pic.twitter.com/e261pGQyEq
Dear @VishalDadlani standing up for women & girls when they are in Kashmir & Unnao is easier.Blaming the Govt. for everything is https://t.co/W5JnIsqyg9 is inconvenient when the offenders & wrong doers are next door & colleagues. @onlymuchlouder ? @The_AnuMalik ?Why are you quiet
— SONA (@sonamohapatra) October 19, 2018
Malik has denied the allegations that he sexually harassed Shweta.
I called #AnuMalik out first & stand by my statement of him being a ‘serial predator’ along with #KailashKher. Dear #India please do not let these men get away like they hope to.They are counting on short public memory & R confident that very soon it will be ‘business as usual’. https://t.co/oo6IVvGBN6
— SONA (@sonamohapatra) October 20, 2018
Earlier, in an Instagram post, singer Sona Mahapatra wrote, “To all the young girls & women who are coming out with their experiences with this creep, journalists, ‘fans’ & even kids from college, know that you are not alone. This guy, #KailashKher is a serial predator & has been for years as are many others like Anu Malik in the industry. I cannot be tweeting about everyone cus I work 18 hour work days & have a life to live & breathe in.” Sona had tweeted again on Saturday saying by not taking action against Malik, makers of the show are complicit.
"The allegations made against my client are emphatically denied as completely false and baseless. My client respects the #MeToo movement, but to use this movement to start a character assassination mission is obnoxious," Malik's lawyer Zulfiquar Memon had told IANS.
Dragging it is definitely a possibility. But there are precedences, like Alisha Chinai vs. Anu Malik. That Anu Malik continued to be successful and still works with prestigious banners like YRF is a different story, though. pic.twitter.com/7mYYVGaAAN
— Karthik (@beastoftraal) October 15, 2018
After singers Sona Mohapatra and Shweta Pandit accused Malik of sexual harassment, two budding singers levelled similar allegations against him.
One of the two latest accusers, an aspiring singer, had reported her account to the publication of her meeting with Malik at his residence, saying: " He sat next to me on the sofa. I realised I was trapped as his family was not at home. He then lifted my skirt and dropped his pants. I thought of pushing him and rushing out the door, but he was too strong for me. Luckily, the doorbell rang at that moment.”
She went on to state that the singer had later threatened her to stay hush about the incident and had harassed her once more in an isolated and desolate area while driving her home.
"It was around 8.30pm when he drove into a dark, empty maidan. Scared, I asked him where we were. But he simply unzipped his pants," she stated.
Another woman had stepped forward sharing her experience of abuse in a studio when Malik had asked to wear a chiffon saree next time they meet. She went on to narrate: " Panic struck me as I realised the recording studio was sound-proof and no one would hear me even if I screamed. I pushed him away and said, ‘What do you think you’re doing?’ The sick pervert immediately broke into his presumably rehearsed line: ‘No, I am happy with my wife, I am a sensitive man!’”
