A case has been filed against TVF (The Viral Fever) CEO and founder Arunabh Kumar for allegedly sexually harassing a woman. One of the women (since many have accused Arunabh) has filed a complaint against him. The allegations against Arunabh grabbed headlines when an anonymous woman blogger called The Indian Fowler wrote on blogging site Medium, that she had been abused within weeks of joining TVF in 2014. The woman, in her twenties, has since quit but wrote that she had been asked to hide the matter when she took it up with the HR department and her bosses.
- TVF CEO Arunabh Kumar booked for sexual harassment.
- FIR filed after complaint by victim from Mumbai.
- Kumar, who is an IIT graduate, founded TVF in 2011.
After that one post, several women had broken silence on social media and shared their experience of facing similar situations.
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One of the women who came out with allegations, Ayushi Agarwal had said: "I don't know who you are but I am also an ex-TVF employee and I have had to face a similar experience working there. I felt exploited and cheated and I left job under very bad circumstances. I hope things have worked out for you. I would never recommend anybody to work there."
Verified personalities on Twitter also made claims of hearing of such incidents at TVF.
Arunabh Kumar had earlier denied all allegations which are documented in detail here. He had also reportedly told Mumbai Mirror that he was "open to receiving a police complaint so that I can respond legally as well." He not only dismissed the allegations as baseless and said if they were true, the women should lodge a police complaint. He also stated, "I am a heterosexual, single man and when I find a woman sexy, I tell her she's sexy. I compliment women. Is that wrong?"
According to Mid-Day, as of March 15, there were 50 complaints.
The original post, which shows suspended at the time of filing this article shares hair-raising details.
“He (Arunabh Kumar) looks at me and asks me — “ Chaturbhuj Sthan ka naam suni ho”? I am stunned. For Non-Starters, Chaturbhuj Sthan is the Red Light District of Muzaffarpur. I didn’t respond. His second question- “Humko Chaturbhuj Sthan Bahut Pasand Hai. Udhar commercial deals hoti hain. Tum Bhi to commercial deal pe aayi ho”. I was getting where he was leading the discussion to. I avoided an interaction. I said “Arunabh, aap bade bhai hain. Meri tabiyat thodi theek nahi hai. Kya karna hai bataiye. Hum karke ghar jaayenge.” He suddenly holds my hand. Says “Madam, thoda role play karein”. I was stunned. None of this was something i had ever asked for. I ran away. Locked myself in the toilet. And cried. He went away. But i was thinking why the hell he is after me? What did i do to make this happen to me. That was the longest night of my life.”
Tracy DSouza, the head of Girliyapa — the all-women’s wing of The Viral Fever said to SheThePeople.TV (in an interview before the official complaint was filed).
“Of course, TVF is investigating and we don’t encourage these things or take it lightly. Internally, we are reaching out to those women who alleged him and talking to them about their experiences. If we come across any reality on the cases, required actions will be taken for sure.”
“One thing everyone should understand that TVF is not a one-person’s company. If the entire team is incorrect the way these women are charging us, then probably we are at fault,” she added.
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