Bengaluru: Woman author Rashmi Bansal has accused venture investor Mahesh Murthy of sexual harassment 13 years ago, which he has denied as “absolute and complete lies”.
The author, who made the allegations ahead of her book launch, said she has not filed a police complaint against the sexual advances that Mr Murthy allegedly made in a cafe in 2004. “This story dates back to 2004. In one of my meetings with that person (Mahesh Murthy) at Mocha Cafe in Mumbai, he kicked off a conversation about his open marriage.
“He was sitting across opposite and then got up and sat closer to me. He leaned forward and touched me inappropriately,” Ms Bansal told PTI.
However, Mr Murthy has denied all these charges.
“Not only has she suddenly come up with claims about a period more than 13 years ago, the claims themselves are absolute and complete lies,” he said.
“It is a part of concerted and planned movement to discredit me. I am taking the strongest legal action,” he said, but did not elaborate.
On why she has not filed an FIR agains Mr Murthy, Ms Bansal said she plans to do that “after consulting elders”.
Asked what prompted her to level this allegation after 13 years, Mr Bansal said, “I saw him doing (this) to others. They all suffered what I suffered, mentally.”
Asked to elaborate her charges, Ms Bansal said, “I am a woman...I cannot go on repeating what already is there in public domain. Whatever I have said it is available online. You can quote me from it.”
Both persons have tweeted on the issue.
