Jennifer Mistry Bansiwal, who is best known for playing the role of Roshan Daruwala Kaur Sodhi in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah (TMKOC), has won the sexual harassment case she had filed against the show’s producer, Asit Kumar Modi. The actress revealed that he has to pay Rs. 5 lakh as compensation.
She filed FIR
She filed an FIR against him last year after she quit the show. Jennifer told in an interview that Asit owes her Rs 30 lakh. “Asit Kumar Modi has been ordered to pay me my due amount and an additional compensation for deliberately withholding my payment, totalling around Rs 25-30 lakh. An extra Rs 5 lakh is imposed on Mr. Modi for harassment. The verdict was out on 15th Feb 2024, but I was asked not to share it in the media.”
Verdict was out on 15 February 2024
She revealed that the verdict to the case was out on February 15, however, she was asked to not disclose it to the media. Jennifer added that she does not feel that she has received proper justice yet. “It’s been over 40 days, and I still haven’t received my due amount. Despite proving Mr. Modi guilty of sexual harassment, no punishment has been given to all three accused. Sohil Ramani and Jatin Bajaj weren’t included in the verdict, which disappoints me. The local committee ordered my due amount, which I deserve. This verdict clears that my case was not fabricated, and I wasn’t seeking cheap publicity. While I’m glad my harassment was recognized, I don’t feel I’ve received proper justice yet,” she said.
She feels compensation is not enough
The actress added that the compensation is small, which may inspire others to commit similar crimes. She said, “Despite numerous visits to the police station with my husband, leaving my 10-year-old daughter alone at home, no charge sheet has been filed even after almost 10 months since the FIR was registered on 19 June.”
She stated it was ‘male-chauvinistic place’
Jennifer said that on her last day on Taarak Mehta sets, March 7 (her marriage anniversary and Holi), she wanted half day leave but the makers made adjustments for everyone except her. Jennifer stated that they adjusted for all the male actors and called it an extremely ‘male-chauvinistic place’.
She received notice
On March 24, Jennifer received a notice that she left the shoot and the makers are losing money before of her. On April 4, she replied to them on WhatsApp that she was subjected to sexual harassment. The actress said she sent a draft and they reverted to her saying she was trying to ‘extort money’ from them. On April 8, Jennifer sent a notice to Asit Modi, Sohil Ramani and Jatin Bajaj and also mailed and sent a registry to all the government authorities.
She said they tried to stop her forcefully
“They (Mr Sohil Ramani and the other executive producer Jatin Bajaj) tried to forcefully stop me on the sets and were shutting the gates and not allowing me to go out. I sent the complaint mail to authorities a month back but haven’t got any revert. I am sure they must be investigating. I have hired a lawyer and I know I will get justice very soon.”
She did not utter a word for 2 months
“I was quiet for two months and did not tell anyone about this and today also I was not ready to talk because the show has given me everything: name, fame, money and I am very grateful for it. But whatever I have gone through in all these years people should know about it. Every person on Taarak Mehta is a bonded labourer,” she added.
She revealed they made sexual advances
Jennifer further said, “Asit Modi has made sexual advances towards me many times in the past. Initially, I ignored all his statements because of fear of losing out on work. But it is enough now I won’t take it anymore. “Finally, Jennifer admitted that she has left the show and she had shot her last episode on March 6, 2023. “I had to leave the sets as I was subjected to humiliation and insult at the hands of Mr Sohil Ramani and the other executive producer Jatin Bajaj”.