#MeToo strikes AIB: Tanmay Bhat to step away, Gursimran Khamba placed on leave

Tanmay has issued a separate apology on Twitter with the statement. "After confronting Utsav, he said he sent the picture by accident, later called the victim crying, apologising, hence harassing her further. I should've ended ties then, and I didn't, and it is my fault. I'm truly sorry. I should've acted stronger.”

Picture taken from @AllIndiaBakchod Twitter account.

New Delhi: Mumbai-based comedy collective All India Bakchod’s members embroiled in alleged sexual allegations informed that its co-founder and CEO Tanmay Bhat will be stepping away from his association with the group until further notice. “Tanmay Bhat will not be involved with the day to day functioning of AIB or in any other manner.” AIB also placed Gursimran Khamba on a temporary leave of absence until they have more clarity on the matter.  Khamba was accused by a woman of misconduct but he categorically denied "any violation of consent". The woman, who requested anonymity, posted her statement through the Twitter handle of a journalist. According to news agency PTI, she said she and the comedian had "hooked up two-three times, consensually and continued being friends" but things escalated when on two separate occasions, Khamba tried "repeatedly to make out with me while we were hanging out". The popular comic group had earlier apologised for failing to take action on fellow comic Utsav Chakraborty despite being aware about allegations of sexual harassment against him. In a lengthy statement, their second, the group said Tanmay Bhat, who is one their founding members, knew about the accusations against Utsav and had confronted him in a "personal capacity".

Statement pic.twitter.com/KR5tM2sYuX

— All India Bakchod (@AllIndiaBakchod) October 8, 2018

"It has been said that AIB knew of the accusations during employment and failed to take actions. We would like to offer some clarity on that. We messed up. Tanmay has issued a separate apology on Twitter with the statement. "After confronting Utsav, he said he sent the picture by accident, later called the victim crying, apologising, hence harassing her further. I should've ended ties then, and I didn't, and it is my fault. I'm truly sorry. I should've acted stronger.”

After confronting Utsav, he said he sent the picture by accident, later called the victim crying, apologizing, hence harassing her further. I should've ended ties then, and I didn't, and it is my fault. I'm truly sorry. I should've acted stronger.

— Tanmay Bhat (@thetanmay) October 5, 2018

Utsav has apologised for his behaviour in a series of tweets and said he has "no excuse" for it. As per PTI, Mumbai Police have taken note of the incident and replied to the tweet by the woman, saying, "We have followed you. Request you to inbox your number. We will look into this on priority". The allegations by the women are a part of #MeToo movement that has kicked into full gear. It catapulted after Bollywood actress Tanushree Dutta accused veteran actor Nana Patekar of sexually harassing during a shooting of a movie song 10 years ago.