Ex-AIB Comic Utsav Chakraborty accused of sexual harassment

AIB famed stand-up comedian Utsav Chakraborty has been accused of sexual harassment by women and girls who shared their experience on social media. They alleged that the comedian has been sending unsolicited photos of his genitals to them. The accusations first came to the fore on a Twitter thread about inappropriate conduct of a large group of Indian men on cruise in Australia in September.

While reacting to the accusations, Utsav said, “this whole thing needs patience and incredible amount of context”. Most of the allegations have been denied by the comedian, but Chakraborty admitted that ‘getting nude pictures from a person was an instant rush’ for him.

Though he claimed it was ‘just plain sexting’, later after a lot of hue and cry, Chakraborty apologised through a tweet.

The woman’s post in which she accused the comedian of sending picture of genitals received several endorsements and it became a #MeToo campaign and charges came thick and fast.

Some of them even alleged that Chakraborty had send direct messages on the social platforms and also invited them to share their nude images. Following the circulation of the tweets, AIB confirmed that Chakraborty’s videos would be removed forthwith.

“We are also aware that by extending safe working spaces and a collaborative environment to people like Utsav, we have contributed towards a toxic environment that can be scary and unsafe for women. And so we are sorry for any part we may have played in the tolerance or furthering of such behaviour,” AIB wrote on Twitter announcing that Chakraborty ceases to be its member.

The Mumbai Police replied to the first woman via a tweet. “We have followed you. Request you to inbox your number. We will look into this on priority.”

Chakraborty wrote on Thursday evening, “To be honest, from all accounts, I’ve been a piece of shit. And I will try to do everything I can work past that. There was no excuse. I know, I was inconsiderate and is rightly entitled. Even in this narrative, when this whole thing started, I kept looking at myself as the victim.”

But to everyone’s surprise on Friday morning, Chakraborty lashed out at those who accused and asked them to prove their charges.

Mallika Dua, a Comedienne, also tweeted: “I feel sick and scared and angry and ashamed. Where the hell do men get this audacity from? Oh yes from society.”

Also read: Sonam Kapoor messes it up on social media