#MeToo: Anu Malik quits Indian Idol after sexual harassment accusations

Music composer Anu Malik, accused of sexual harassment by multiple women, has stepped down from the jury panel of singing reality show, Indian Idol, a statement from Sony Entertainment Television read.

“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 and Neha to judge extraordinary talent of Indian Idol season 10,” the statement from the television channel read.

Malik also shared a statement “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.”

After singers Sona Mohapatra and Shweta Pandit accused Anu Malik of sexual harassment, two budding singers levelled similar allegations against him.

A lawyer for the music director has denied the claims against him, saying India’s #MeToo movement is being used for his client’s “character assassination”. Malik has repeatedly denied the allegations.