Composer duo Salim and Sulaiman Merchant will be the first guest judges to replace Anu Malik on Indian Idol 10 jury following his removal from the show in the wake of the numerous allegations of sexual harassment that have been levelled against him by multiple women.
Malik, 57, who co-judged Indian Idol since its inception in 2004, was fired from the singing reality show on Sunday.
Sony Entertainment Television, the channel on which Indian Idol 10 airs, issued an official statement stating that "Anu Malik is no longer a part of Indian Idol jury panel."
Salim Merchant confirmed to indianexpress.com about judging the next episode of the show along with his brother Sulaiman.
When the publication reached out to Malik, he denied the channel asked him to leave the show, and instead said, “I have taken a stand. I have issued a statement to the channel that I 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.”
Singer Shweta Pandit accused Malik of sexually harassing her when she was 15. In a long post on Twitter, Pandit recounted her ordeal and called Malik a "paedophile". Sona Mohapatra also accused Malik of being a "serial offender" and alleged that he would call her at odd hours.
On Monday, singer Alisha Chinai, who recorded several hit songs with Malik during the 1990s, also came forward to call him out for his alleged sexual misconduct. She claimed that every word said and written about the Bollywood music composer was "true".
During the release of Chinai's hit track Made in India, the singer had accused Malik of molesting her. The two did not work together for several years, only to reunite in 2003 with Ishq Vishk.
On Saturday, two more women came forward to accuse Malik of sexual harassment.
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