Main complainant in sexual harassment case against Mahesh Murthy speaks out

Mahesh Murthy

The Khar police on Friday arrested Mahesh Murthy, an investor specialising in early stage start-ups, in a harassment case filed against him by a Delhi woman last year. Calling it a "technical arrest", the cops released him within a few hours, as he had already acquired anticipatory bail from court.

Yesterday around 5 pm, the Khar police reached Murthy's Silver Spring Apartment in Bandra West and brought him to the police station, setting him free after a few hours. As soon as he stepped out of the police station, he tweeted: "To all: the hon'ble court granted me anticipatory bail in this case some time ago. I am told it was a procedural technical arrest and I have already been released on surety.

Mahesh Murthy

Also Read: Angel Investor Mahesh Murthy Arrested In Molestation Case

This is the same issue on which I had filed a case & and where the High Court has already passed an interim order in my favour & against the complainant back in April 2017. This is an attempt to counter-sue. I will fight this too in court to defend my reputation. (sic)" Speaking on the matter, a police source confirmed, "It was a technical arrest, as he had acquired an ABA; he was released within a few hours."

Gathering complaints
The National Commission for Women (NCW) told mid-day it had received two complaints against Murthy last year - one around mid-year that was forwarded to the Maharashtra State Commission for Women, and the other in December that was forwarded to Maharashtra DGP's office.

Based on the December complaint, an FIR was filed in Khar police station under sections 354 D (stalking) and 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Indian Penal Code read with 67A of the Information Technology Act.

National Commission for Women member Rekha Sharma said, "Around 11 victims, who had raised their voices against Mahesh Murthy over the harassment they have faced, have got in touch with us, and four of the victims have given their complaints. One more victim, who is staying in Australia, is expected to send in her written complaint to us soon."

The allegation
NCW sources told mid-day that the victim who had given her complaint in December had been following Murthy on LinkedIn. She was added to a start-up business WhatsApp group, of which Murthy was also a part. During a group conversation, the victim praised Murthy, after which he started conversing with her on her personal chat.

The victim alleged that he started sending derogatory and objectionable messages and inappropriate emojis to her. A source said, "The victim, in her statement, had told the NCW 'there are many girls being victimised by the accused. All should come forward and raise their voices against the harassment they have been facing. People like him should be brought to book'."

Know Murthy
A marketer and investor, Mahesh Murthy is the co-founder of Seedfund and founder and chief executive officer of Pinstorm Technologies Private Limited, a pay-for-performance digital brand management firm.

Tweet talk

Mahesh Murthy‏@maheshmurthy
This is the same issue on which I had filed a case & and where the High Court has already passed an interim order in my favour & against the complainant back in April 2017. This is an attempt to counter-sue. I will fight this too in court to defend my reputation.

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