Ghazal singer Kesiraju Srinivas, popularly known as Ghazal Srinivas, who holds the Guinness World Record for most languages sung is accused of sexually harassing a woman. A complaint by a woman named Kumari, who is working as a program head in the web radio Aalaya Vani, run by him, led to his arrest.
However, soon after the news was picked up, news publication Indiatimes curated the story but put Chennai-based playback singer and composer Srinivas’ photo instead. The ‘Minsara Poove’ singer took to social media, recollecting how it wasn’t the first time such an ill researched move by a news organisation had happened, and that he will sue Indiatimes for the damages caused.
The article has since been taken down, with Indiatimes apologising on Srinivas’ Facebook page: “It was an inadvertent error. We have unpublished the article. We apologise for the same.”
Speaking to The News Minute, Srinivas lamented the state of journalism in the country. “I know a case might not get me anywhere, but something has to be done. There are bigger errors made by the media. I know in my case it is a one-off error, and it is not like I am in trouble. But good old journalism standards have to be back instead of first-to-report sensationalism,” he said.
Image Credits: The Hans India
Meanwhile, reports state that the police presented Ghazal Srinivas in court and he has been remanded in judicial custody for 10 days. He has applied for a bail, stating that the woman’s allegations are all false.
