In a rapidly unfolding saga, current band members of the iconic indie rock fusion band Indian Ocean, Rahul N Ram and Amit Kilam, have released an official statement addressing recent police complaints filed against them by former band member Susmit Sen and the widow of another co-founder, Sunita Chakravorty. These accusations center around royalty disputes that have reportedly been brewing for a considerable amount of time.
Rahul N Ram and Amit Kilam, both significant figures in the current lineup of Indian Ocean, stated their belief that the recent police complaints are nothing short of an effort to coerce them into succumbing to illegal and unwarranted demands. The statement, replete with disappointment and determination, provides a comprehensive response to the allegations leveled against them.
According to their statement, the band members were disheartened to learn from media reports about the police complaint filed by Susmit Sen and Sunita Chakravorty. They emphasized that they have not yet been furnished with a copy of the complaint and therefore cannot respond to its specifics. “We are saddened to learn from the media that a police complaint has been filed against us by Mr. Susmit Sen (former member of Indian Ocean) and Ms. Sunita Chakravorty (spouse of former Indian Ocean member Asheem Chakravorty). We have not seen a copy of the complaint as yet and thus cannot address it on its merits,” read the statement.
The ongoing dispute takes place against the backdrop of a pending case in the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) concerning the band’s stakeholders, which has remained unresolved for over a year. Rahul and Amit expressed surprise over the timing of the police complaint, suggesting that it appears to be an afterthought and an attempt to turn a civil disagreement into a criminal matter. “There is a pending matter in the NCLT (National Company Law Tribunal) between the shareholders for more than a year. That case is still in process, and thus everything therein is sub-judice. It is quite a surprise to us that a police complaint has been filed with what appears to be the same issue considered by the NCLT. Filing a criminal complaint on what is evidently a civil law issue seems to be an afterthought and an attempt to arm-twist us to agree to their illegal and unwarranted demands,” the statement further explained.
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In addition to these points, Rahul and Amit reaffirmed their willingness to cooperate fully with law enforcement authorities, asserting their faith in the judicial system. “Nevertheless, we shall cooperate fully with the police in any enquiry they choose to carry out. We are quite aware that the complaints are essentially frivolous and mala fide, and completely confident about the legality of all procedures carried out by us,” their statement concluded.
The police complaint against Rahul N Ram and Amit Kilam is quite serious, encompassing a range of allegations. According to WION, the complaint accuses the current band members of criminal conspiracy, breach of trust, cheating, misappropriation, falsification of accounts, money laundering, and embezzlement under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS). These allegations are asserted by the complainants, who claim that they have not received any royalties or dues from Indian Ocean since 2020 and 2021 respectively. The financial claims purportedly amount to over half a crore rupees (INR) per person.
While the band members navigate these tumultuous times, Indian Ocean’s legacy as a pioneering force in India’s indie music scene hangs in the balance. The band, renowned for its revolutionary approach to music that fuses traditional Indian instruments with Western rock, has long been celebrated as a trailblazer. The current dispute prompts a significant reflection on the pressures and complications that often lie behind the glamorous facade of the music industry.
This intricate mix of legal and personal battles continues to capture public attention, shedding light on the complex entanglements that can arise in creative ventures. Indian Ocean’s fans and the wider community will be watching closely to see how this dispute is resolved and what impact it will have on the band’s future.
As the case progresses, the music fraternity remains divided, with some sympathizing with the complainants and others standing by the current band members. Amid all the accusations and defenses, what remains clear is that this dispute has cast a spotlight on the often murky waters of intellectual property rights, royalties, and the internal dynamics of collaborative artistic endeavors.
For now, Rahul N Ram and Amit Kilam are steadfast in their stance, calling for a fair and thorough evaluation of the issues at hand while proclaiming their readiness to face any legal scrutiny. As the situation evolves, one can only hope for an equitable resolution that honors the legacy and contributions of all involved parties.
