Comedy group AIB announced on Thursday that it had removed every video featuring a former member who has been accused of sexual harassment by women on social media.
The group took to Twitter to make the announcement in light of allegations by a series of women against Utsav Chakraborty on social media.
Terming Utsav’s behaviour unacceptable, the AIB wrote, “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.”
The sgtatement by AIB added, “If these allegations result in any investigation, the team at AIB would be willing to cooperate and extend full support to it. Also, pending the result of any such investigation, we are immediately delisting every single video on our channels that feature Utsav.”
The group said Utsav never worked as a head writer and is no longer a part of the organisation.
This was after a series of women took to Twitter to recount how Utsav had harassed in multiple ways. One woman alleged that the former AIB member in question had even sent the photo of his genital to one victim.
After one woman narrated her story, the microblogging site was flooded with similar tales of horror by other women, who too accused Utsav of similar charges. Some even alleged that the former AIB member had asked for nude photos of an minor girl in the past.
So Utsav asks a women to show him around the city — strange woman — then asks her if he can touch her belly ew pic.twitter.com/Te3OTVwmD9
— Mahima Kukreja ??✊? (@AGirlOfHerWords) October 4, 2018
Utsav, I feel pissed at myself for not telling you this sooner. But you’re a creep. We don’t need context.
— Erekt-angle? (@aNuSFW) October 4, 2018
When I moved to Mumbai in 2015, one day Kamra told me that her friend Mahima got a dick pic from Utsav. I was shocked. Honestly, Coz he used to come across as very woke and why you shouldn’t send a dick pic is too easy to understand- Decency which I thought he had.
— Abhishek Upmanyu (@AbhiUpmanyu) October 4, 2018
Faced with a flurry of serious charges of repeated sexual harassment, Utsav too took to Twitter to admit his guilt but blamed it to his incurable illness. He also denied having ever asked for nude photos from an ‘underage’ girl.
But now I know I have been the exact monster I’ve been trying to fight all my life. And I would like to do everything I can to make this better for everyone who has been hurt. Everything short of killing myself. And trust me, that has crossed my mind so often today.
— Utsav (@Wootsaw) October 4, 2018
Okay since everyone is out to get me in this whole narrative, let me repeat: I’VE NEVER ASKED AN UNDERAGE PERSON FOR NUDES. IF IT CAN BE PROVED IN *ANY WAY*, I’M READY TO TAKE THE DUE COURSE OF THE LAW. HOLY SHIT.
— Utsav (@Wootsaw) October 5, 2018
Utsav’s trouble may not yet be over since the Mumbai Police too have taken note of the social media conversations about his past. Taking note of the incident, the Mumbai Police replied to a tweet by a woman, saying, “We have followed you. Request you to inbox your number. We will look into this on priority.”
