Actor Mamya Shajaffar has responded to fellow actor Arslan Butt’s legal notice with a Rs1 billion counter-notice accusing him of harassment, defamation, intimidation and causing reputational damage.
Shajaffar posted a copy of the notice on Instagram, saying that Butt’s previous legal notice was “false and misconceived” and an attempt to pressure and silence her following multiple incidents of harassment.
The reason for the dispute is Shajaffar’s appearance in the YouTube video, ‘Say It All with Iffat Omar’ on 21st May, in which she mentioned a co-star named Arsalan, of whom she said that his conduct made her uncomfortable when she was working together on the set.
She spoke of some times when he would be too direct with her. Butt responded to the interview with a legal notice alleging that all of the allegations were false, malicious and defamatory and that he had suffered reputational harm, mental distress and humiliation as a result.
Butt asked Shajaffar to withdraw her comments, and take down the allegedly defamatory material and apologise publicly.
But Shajaffar’s counter-notice countered the claim saying they were based on “true events, actual conduct and personal experiences” and evidence she said was in her possession including electronic material and witness testimony.
The notice also claimed that the interview didn’t directly accuse Butt of sexual harassment like his legal notice did.
It suggested that Butt had misrepresented and exaggerated what she said to make it sensational and to force the issue of a lawsuit.
Shajaffar’s legal team also said that Butt had engaged in harassment, intimidation and an attempt to silence a woman who has spoken publicly about her experiences.
The notice calls upon Butt to remove his legal notice, publicly apologise, and pay Rs1 billion in damages within 14 days of the publication, with a threat to legal action under Pakistani law if he does not.
Also read: Harrassment case: Momina Iqbal appeals Maryam Nawaz for help
