The Khar police on Friday questioned angel investor Mahesh Murthy in connection with a complaint of sexual harassment filed against him earlier this year.“Murthy appeared at the police station for inquiries and presented the court order [of anticipatory bail]. He was allowed to leave after the necessary formalities were complete,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone IX) Paramjit Singh Dahiya said.
He is alleged to have made objectionable remarks to several women through social media. He had secured anticipatory bail from the Bombay High Court. Police have seized his cell phone for forensic analysis.
In late 2017, a Delhi-based woman complained to the NCW about objectionable messages that he had allegedly sent to her, after which the Khar police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against him.
Police said they contacted the woman, who came down to Mumbai and gave a statement as well as screenshots of her WhatsApp conversations with Mr. Murthy.
“Inquiries conducted till now indicate that Murthy misbehaved with several women that he met at seminars related to start-ups and investment, using social media platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook. He would insert inappropriate comments in business-related conversations that the women would be having with him, and would not stop even after the women made it clear to him that it was making them uncomfortable,” an officer with the Khar police said.
Later on Friday night, Mr. Murthy 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. This is the same issue on which I had filed a case & 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)”
