Venture capitalist Mahesh Murthy arrested by Mumbai Police on molestation charges

Mumbai: The Mumbai Police on Friday arrested noted Venture Capitalist and managing partner of Seedfund Mahesh Murthy in connection with a molestation case.

A Delhi-based woman had accused Murthy of sexually harassing and stalking her on social media.

Murthy, who is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Digital Agency Pinstorm, was arrested in Khar in connection with the complaint filed by the woman.

According to the police, the victim had approached the National Commission of Women in 2017 following which a case was registered against Murthy on December 30, 2017, and he was finally arrested this evening. 

"We have arrested him under sections 354 (D) (stalking) and 509 (word, act or gesture to outrage modesty of a woman) of the Indian Penal Code and under relevant sections of the Information Technology Act," Ramchandra Jadhav, Senior Inspector, Khar Police Station, was quoted as saying by media reports. 

The NCW had written to Maharashtra's Director General of Police regarding the alleged use of objectionable, derogatory and sexual remarks and obscene signs by the investor on social media platforms against the complainant and several other women.

Though Murthy had tendered an apology for some of his objectionable posts, the NCW had requested the DGP to personally intervene in the matter and take strict action against him as per law.

The NCW said that such acts not only amount to outraging the modesty of women but also attract action for cybercrime.

(With Agency inputs)