Raghu Dixit responds to sexual harrassment claim: “This incident did happen”

Singer Raghu Dixit has addressed the sexual harassment claim against him by acknowledging his wrongdoing and issuing a public apology.

The anonymous post, shared by singer Chinmayi Sripaada on Twitter, claimed that the misconduct took place in a professional context, “Many years ago, I was called to his studio for a recording and he started talking ill about his wife (like most married men do) His wife is a wonderful human being. When she came in during the so called recording that didn’t take place, he asked me to pretend like I’ve come for work. I argued with that, that is what I’m here for.”, adding that, “When we got done with an ad-hoc recording, he pulled me closer and asked me to give him a kiss when he was signing my cheque. Later at the door, he tried to carry me and I ran down crying.”

Dixit responded to the accusation on Twitter by confirming the incident, “I remember the incident that Chinmayi’s post refers to. I know who the person in question is and I have apologised to her in the past and apart from this public apology, will do so again privately.

This incident did happen, but not entirely like it was described. It was a completely silly misjudgement on my part. I gave the person a hug and that led me to trying to kiss her before she stopped me and left from my studio. She then texted me and told me that she did not like my behaviour and I apologised profusely for what I did,” Dixit said, providing more context, “My wife and I were in a bad place in our relationship and I definitely sought comfort. This person was incredibly sweet and sympathetic to what I said and I completely misread the situation.”

However, Dixit also added that he feel his behaviour was predatory. “Am I a predator? Definitely not. Did I lure this singer or any other with a chance to sing for a movie? Not at all. This singer had already finished singing the song. Did I speak ill of my wife? No, but I did vent out that we were in a bad place.”

Here is my detailed response to the anonymous statement against me. I apologise for any wrong doing on my part and will do what it takes to correct it.
I have complete faith in my integrity and I have been as true to myself as I can be with this response. pic.twitter.com/vHuNzQq6G0

— Raghu Dixit (@Raghu_Dixit) October 10, 2018

Apart from the account he responded to, there is another claim against Dixit, shared by Sripaada, which states, “Once he called me home to make me listen to new tunes for his movie and wanted my opinion on the same. While we were in his studio he shared his sob story and then while he was playing his tune, he asked me to sit on his lap so I could listen closely. I politely told him to take a walk. Finally, he realised nothing was happening”. The woman also mentioned that other victims have shared incidences of Dixit behaving inappropriately as well.