Arunabh Kumar, CEO of The Viral Fever , who was booked in two cases of sexual harassment by the Mumbai Police earlier this year, on Friday stepped down from his post. In a statement released on social media website Twitter, Mr Kumar said that he had taken the decision “in the wake of recent personal attacks.”
Mr Kumar first found himself in the eye of the proverbial storm when a lady, who worked in association with him between 2014 to 2016, posted an article online earlier this year, accusing him of sexual harassment. The same allegation was echoed by several women, who also levelled accusations of a similar nature against Mr Kumar, and two of them ultimately filed FIRs with the Mumbai Police.
On Friday, Mr Kumar, in a statement released through his Twitter handle, said, “A lot has happened in the last three months which has mentally and emotionally drained me. However, I have faith and confidence that eventually truth will prevail. Through this all, it has become clearer to me that what was and always continue to be most important is – TVF.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Mr Kumar, in the same statement, announced that Dhawal Gusain has been nominated and appointed as the new CEO to take over the reins of Mumbai based company from this point on.
“In the wake of the recent personal attacks, what really breaks me is the blemish on the brand's true promise. I have therefore taken the decision to step down as the CEO of TVF. I will be available as a mentor for the content team as they continue to deliver the stories that you love us for,” the statement added.
The first FIR was registered by the MIDC police against Mr Kumar on March 17 this year after one of the victims finally came forward to give a complaint, while the second FIR was registered by another victim with the Versova police a day later. The police have made inquiries with Mr Kumar in both the cases repeatedly and will be filing a chargesheet soon.
ADVERTISEMENT