Evidently disgruntled about the National Commission for Women's (NCW) decision to temporarily close the case against #MeToo accused Anu Malik, Sona Mohapatra, one of the leading voices of the movement in the country, is disheartened. One among several women, including singers Neha Bhasin and Shweta Pandit, who accused Malik of sexual misconduct, Mohapatra connects with mid-day from Paris, to say, "I was at an event representing India at an ISRO launch by an European agency. I came out elated owing to the response to my views, only to read this news on social media. The statement of the NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma is wrong. I collated multiple testimonies painstakingly, and mailed it to them within a few days of them asking for it [copies of which are with mid-day]. I requested to speak to Sharma to discuss it. I received a one-line cryptic response to [my] mails."

She maintains that the NCW made no effort to engage or connect with Bhasin, Pandit, or her. "I did exactly what I was asked to do. They could have shown some interest by writing back, talking about the matter, or meeting us. They didn't. What more documents can you provide in cases of sexual assault? Should we record or shoot it while it happens? Is that even possible?"