Kamaraj, the Zomato delivery executive who is facing allegations of assault by one Bengaluru based beauty influencer named Hitesha Chandranee is now grabbing the attention of the country after his gut-wrenching video of crying and pleading innocence went viral on the social media platforms. Hitesha, who had first seized her cosy share of limelight through a heavily staged video where she accused Kamaraj of punching her after late delivery is now standing on slippery ground.
In an Instagram video, seen with a bloody injury on her nose, the woman claimed that Kamaraj barged into her house and assaulted her after she questioned him over late delivery. The woman narrated that she had placed an order around 3:30 pm on March 9, which was supposed to be delivered by 4:30 pm, but she did not receive it on time. Hence, she called Zomato’s customer support and requested them to cancel the order or give her free delivery.
As usual, a woman’s testimony ignited instant response and thousands thronged in support to thrash the Zomato executive without hearing his side of the story. However, as soon as a video of Kamaraj pleading and imploring the virtual audience to hear his side of the story went viral, the perception battle flipped on its head.
In the video, Kamaraj stated that he took up this job because his father, who was a lawyer, died 15 years ago, because of which he couldn’t finish his education. He also said that he is the sole breadwinner of his family and that his mother is diabetic.
In another video, Kamaraj explained the chain of events that lead to Hitesha’s injury. The Zomato executive explained that he requested Hitesha to not complain about the late delivery as he was stranded because of the traffic. However, Hitesha started asking for free delivery on a ‘COD’ order, which ultimately Kamaraj would have had to pay from his own pocket. After Kamaraj refused, the ‘beauty influencer’ started flinging her slippers on Kamaraj, who in an act of self-defence pushed her hand away and thus Hitesha, who was wearing a ring in her hand hit her nose and she started bleeding.
Kamaraj, who was arrested by the police immediately after Hitesha’s video was only granted conditional bail after the public furore while Hitesha continues to amass Instagram followers. In the video, Kamaraj can also be seen imploring that he be allowed to go back to his job and that he just wants to put this incident behind him.
Zomato’s founder Deepinder Goyal, citing the company’s protocol said that Zomato had suspended Kamaraj for the time being but was looking after the earning and the legal expenses. One should note that Kamaraj had been working for over 26 months with Zomato and had undertaken more than 5,000 deliveries with a commendable 4.75 star rating, one of the highest in the bracket.
I want to chime in about the incident that happened in Bengaluru a few days ago. @zomato pic.twitter.com/8mM9prpMsx
— Deepinder Goyal (@deepigoyal) March 12, 2021
Meanwhile, Netizens trended the hashtag #Mentoo and showed supported to the Zomato executive who seemingly has been framed by the influencer to gain clout and instant followers.
#MenToo
A women is innocent untill she proved guilty And a man is guilty until he proved innocent. pic.twitter.com/AV9TbX0P4v— Sachin Saxena 🇮🇳 (@imsachins) March 13, 2021
Women are innocent until proven guilty.
Men are guilty until proven innocent?This shouldn't work like that anymore if we wanna bring a change 🙏 … #MenToo #ZomatoDeliveryGuy
Kamraj's work at Zomato
– With them for 26 months
– Over 5000 deliveries
– 4.75/5 Star Rating ⭐ https://t.co/9TuoZPRNED— Harry Manchanda 👨💻🇮🇳 🚀 (@HarmanManchanda) March 13, 2021
Please release the call made to zomato customer support so we can hear the accusers level of arrogance and entitlement over the phone. If she has lied which am sure of then she must be forced to pay damages and issue a public apology @zomato #ReinstateKamaraj @deepigoyal #MenToo pic.twitter.com/jciHMhXzFm
— Amit Tandon (@amit_tandon0411) March 13, 2021
Dear @zomatoin @deepigoyal Mr. Kamaraj ji is not crying for publicity. He is crying because he knows value of his image & job.
That girl is enjoying 60k+ insta followers.
Please don't let him suffer more.#ZomatoDeliveryGuy#MenToo#MakeUpWaliDidi
@MensDayOutIndia@ashokepandit pic.twitter.com/ATpJz0tCSy— Dr Deepak Khare🇮🇳🚩 (@imdrdeepak) March 13, 2021
Whatever the truth be, the entire incident has once again brought to light the issue of men being framed by women and the public trial instantly stamping the XY chromosome as the criminal. If it was not for Kamaraj’s video, the virtual audience would have sent him for the chair and the woman would have scot-free without facing any repercussions for his actions, which seem pretty shoddy at this point.
That’s why it’s very important to not jump into conclusions by just hearing one side of the story.
Next time make sure to hear other side of the story so that we can make informed decisions.
Reminds us of the incident in which two sisters thrashed innocent male passengers claiming sexual harassment just to grab publicity.
Zomato MUST sue this bitch for falsifying facts and causing grave defamation of its brand and people.
Let the delivery boys be provided with a cap fitted with hidden camera which can record everything at the time of delivery. So such problems solved once for all.
Good suggestion. Lots of towns/ cities in the US do the same with cops these days, especially in the aftermath of BLM.