The Viral Fever (TVF) founder Arunabh Kumar was recently acquitted by a Mumbai court in the 2017 sexual harassment case. The former TVF CEO was booked following the sexual misconduct accusations in 2017.
As per the latest PTI reports, the court has ruled that there was an ‘unexplained and unreasonable’ delay in filing the First Information Report (FIR) in the matter. The complaint was posted anonymously on Medium.com under the title ‘The Indian Uber- That is TVF’ and also alleged that the TVF founder molested her while she was working with the company.
Later, the Andheri Police station registered a case in 2017 based on the ex-employee’s allegations against Arunabh Kumar under Indian Penal Code Sections 354 A (causing sexual harassment) and 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman).
During the court hearing, the prosecution alleged that the incident took place in 2014 and a complaint was filed three years later after another woman had made similar allegations against Arunabh on social media. The former TVF CEO was already acquitted by the Metropolitan Magistrate (Andheri court) A I Shaikh in September 2022.
The TVF ex-CEO was already acquitted by Metropolitan Magistrate (Andheri court) A I Shaikh in September 2022, reported India.com.
The magistrate in his order pointed out, “there is no concrete evidence produced by the prosecution.” He opined, “There is material discrepancy and contradiction. There is even unreasonable and unexplained delay in filing the FIR, which raised clouds on the case of the prosecution.”
A I Shaikh further added, “It can even be said the complaint is “filed out of grudge or rivalry on the reason of business” between the accused and the informant, the court added. All witnesses are “interest witnesses”. They are involved in the same industry where the accused is also doing the business. Therefore, the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Arunabh stepped down as the CEO of TVF in 2017 after multiple sexual harassment accusations were made against him.
Image Source: Instagram