TVF CEO #ArunabhKumar steps down after ‘sexual harassment’ claims

Arunabh Kumar, CEO of The Viral Fever (TVF), who has been accused of sexual harassment in two cases, announced on Friday that he is stepping down as the company’s executive.

In a Facebook post, Kumar 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.”

With Kumar stepping down, Dhawal Gusain, TVF’s chief operating officer, will be taking over.

Kumar said that his company TVF has always been larger than any one individual and also asserted his dream of making the company’s content at par with giants like Disney and HBO.

Giving reasons for the timing of his letter, Kumar said the delay was to avoid saying things in haste. He also apologised for TVF’s initial insensitive response to the blog post, which alleged sexual assault. The company’s response to the anonymous blog included that they would leave “no stone unturned” to trace the author and to “bring them to severe justice”.

He also thanked his friends, family and the viewers of TVF for their support. He said he has “faith and confidence” that eventually “truth will prevail”.

While Kumar is stepping down as the CEO, he will continue to work with the company as a mentor to the content creation team.

On March 29, a first information report was registered against Kumar for “outraging the modesty of a woman”. The Andheri police filed a 275-page charge sheet against him in the Andheri magistrate’s court last month.