Mumbai, Feb 9: Renowned investor Mahesh Murthy was arrested by Mumbai police on Friday evening on charges of molestation. The arrest was made on basis of a complaint filed against him on December 30, 2017.
Murthy, the founder and chief executive officer of digital agency Pinstorm, was accused by a Delhi-based woman of harassing her on social media. The complainant had first moved to the National Commission of Women (NCW) in mid-2017, seeking justice.
The NCW had forwarded her complaint to Maharashtra's Director General of Police, seeking his personal intervention in the matter to ensure action is taken in the case.
Based on a complaint filed at the Commission and following NCW’s successful intervention, #MaheshMurthy has been arrested by @MumbaiPolice today u/Sec 354 IPC read with 67A of IT Act. @sharmarekha @MinistryWCD
— NCW (@NCWIndia) February 9, 2018
The FIR registered by the Khar police station against Murthy pressed the IPC sections 354 (D) (stalking) and 509 (word, act or gesture to outrage modesty of a woman), along with relevant sections of Information Technology Act.
According to reports, the victim, in her complaint to the NCW, said the accused stalked her on social media and attempted to outrage her modesty online by using objectionable, derogatory and sexual remarks.
In April 2017, a spree of sexual harassment allegations were levelled against Murthy, with some dating back to as early as 2000s'. Facing flak, the venture capitalist had issued an apology.
The NCW, however, had said the apology would not be suffice. “Even though Murthy has allegedly already posted an apology for some of his posts, the NCW, in its letter to the Maharashtra DGP, requested for the DGP’s personal involvement, the commission reportedly said in its press release.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 09, 2018 07:15 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).