The TVF Molestation ‘incident’ created a storm on the Internet when a Medium blog went viral accusing TVF founder Arunabh Kumar of molestation.
This incident soon avalanched into a social media storm as more victims came out and wrote about their encounters with Arunabh Kumar. Even after dozens of victims coming forth with their stories, the police took no action.
TVF strongly denied all allegations and challenged the ‘alleged victims’ to come forth and lodge a police complaint.
The Mumbai Police finally booked Arunabh Kumar for molestation as a woman came forth and lodged a complaint at the suburban Andheri police station.
The police booked him under sections 354 A (causing sexual harassment) and 509 (insult the modesty of a woman by indecent words, gesture or acts) of Indian Penal Code.
Arunabh Kumar, however, is not arrested, yet.
As for why it took so long for someone to come forward and lodge a complaint, there reportedly seems to be a reason for that as well.
Even though many women used their real names to write their stories on social media sites, the Mumbai Police did not even try to contact them. It is only when lawyer Rizwan Siddiquee came forward and filed a third-party complaint, did the Mumbai Police become serious.
“My post is still active on Facebook and has been quoted by several publications, but I haven’t got a single call from the police. But I find them extremely hostile and despite reassurances, I don’t feel safe about it.”
One victim even claimed that the police was not serious with the whole matter.
Mid-Day reports that a top Mumbai cop even went ahead to say that TVF Founder Arunabh Kumar will not even be summoned to the police station. It also reports that the Mumbai Police even doubts if the allegations by the various women online are true.
True or not, the allegations should have been investigated. Sexual harassment is a serious crime, and cannot be taken lightly, especially by the Police, even if the victim has come forward on the social media to speak about it.
Let’s hope the police investigates the TVF case thoroughly from now.
News Sources – India Today, Mid-Day