A weird sense of déjà vu befalls me as I open my Twitter this morning and find #MeToo and ‘Utsav Chakraborty’ (@Wootsav) trending again. It was a little more than a year ago, in October 2018, when the comedian, who had appeared in several sketch videos for the comedy collective All India Bakchod (AIB), was accused of sending sexually explicit messages to several women. The woman ‘outing him’ shared screenshots of their conversation where it was indicated that Utsav had sent her an unsolicited dick pic. She also went on to share numerous screenshots of her conversations with other women who had come forward and told her how Utsav did the same to them.

Utsav denied the allegations, particularly the ones about him sexting a minor. The justification he issued in his own Twitter thread revolved around his health conditions and how pain medication made him hazy, which made him behave in that way. Naturally, this did more harm than help, and brought an whole new onslaught of outrage.

The Twitter thread allegedly exposing the comedian didn’t start the #MeToo wave in India per se (It was Ray Sarkar’s crowdsourced list of sexual harassers in academia in 2017 that did it), it did set into motion an avalanche of accusations and justifications on Twitter that shook everyone to the core. It was the beginning of the end of Utsav’s comedic career, as well as AIB and a bunch of other members of the comedy circuit, as more skeletons began tumbling out of the closet.

Today, a year later, another startling piece of information has been brought to light, and is the reason this incident is rearing its head again. An audio recording has been released, which claims to reveal the other half of the #MeToo conversation. The clip allegedly has the accuser's sister and lawyer threatening Utsav Chakraborty with legal action if he released screenshots he had in his possession that could potentially discredit some of the allegations. The clip is going viral on social media, and has Utsav talking about how the accuser's rash decision of posting allegations without verifying their authenticity ruined his life and even made him suicidal at one point.

Utsav just got in touch with me. I like others in the community had abandoned him believing whatever @AGirlOfHerWords had to say but wtf is this? Why is her lawyer threatning him to hide his side? Let's not be quiet on this and have a spine here.https://t.co/AuBazeFBPB — Sourav Ghosh (@SouravGhosh87) November 20, 2019

While the clip sows seeds of doubt in the minds of those who believed the accuser's story last year, Utsav has also written a Twitter thread, explaining how he tracked down a few of the women who had accused him and got them to admit that their allegations weren’t entirely true.

"Why would so many women lie about one person?"



In the next few tweets, I will tackle all the malicious insinuations and abject falsehoods put forth on me either by @AGirlOfHerWords or the media frenzy that followed. Stay tuned. — Utsav Chakraborty (@Wootsaw) November 21, 2019

And before I begin, I would like to put out a public service announcement to anyone who approached Mahima Kukreja with false or malicious information about me. If you did this, please apologize or at least explain yourself publicly as to why you did what you did. — Utsav Chakraborty (@Wootsaw) November 21, 2019

Okay, I'll start.



You guys remember this screenshot? It was posted by this guy called @sanilgosavi, got a tonne of retweets and basically showed how deplorable and unrelenting a creep I was. So convincing that when I first saw it, I believed it myself. Not gonna lie. pic.twitter.com/jk8hynAkZK — Utsav Chakraborty (@Wootsaw) November 21, 2019

This was a tricky one to dismiss because it was definitely my writing. Definitely the words I use to sext. Except it's a long string of unreplied words with someone saying that they're uncomfortable at the end. A lot of (remaining) close friends distanced from me when they saw it — Utsav Chakraborty (@Wootsaw) November 21, 2019

But when I looked into it further it was clear as day. One half of the conversation was missing. What sorcery was this??!



Turns out Instagram DMs have a fun feature where you can delete your side of the convo making the other person look like a complete psycho creep. pic.twitter.com/Gr6J2pIq3Z — Utsav Chakraborty (@Wootsaw) November 21, 2019

Her saying 'won't be comfortable' was a reply to me asking her to talk in the video I was asking her to send. It was NOT a comment on my seemingly relentless barge of words.



I tried to look for her and this conversation on Instagram. But couldn't find it. I had been blocked. — Utsav Chakraborty (@Wootsaw) November 21, 2019

After the events of 4th October 2018, a lot of people had blocked me. Either out of disgust or to convey a collective solidarity for the women who I allegedly harassed. I assumed she too must've been feeling the same and did what she did. — Utsav Chakraborty (@Wootsaw) November 21, 2019

So I did some snooping around my saved screenshots and realized that this person's handle was 'Chanzpapi' on Instagram and also that the contents of the screenshot preceded an explicit photo from her. Following which I tracked her on Facebook and confronted her. pic.twitter.com/szOokYBRSK — Utsav Chakraborty (@Wootsaw) November 21, 2019

So what I gathered was that @chanya_jaitly shared a doctored picture of our conversation during #metoo with her ex-boyfriend who shared the screenshot without her consent when my name was trending last year thanks to @AGirlOfHerWords' valiant efforts. — Utsav Chakraborty (@Wootsaw) November 21, 2019

Can't debate the authenticity of her explanation but I'll let her have the benefit of the doubt. @chanya_jaitly further agreed to put up a public apology. So everyone reading this: DO NOT ADMONISH/BELITTLE/HARASS HER. She made a mistake. She is owning up to it. Let. Her. Be. — Utsav Chakraborty (@Wootsaw) November 21, 2019

This was the first of many. There are several more coming. AND DO NOT BE AWFUL TO THE PEOPLE I NAME. DO NOT DO TO THEM WHAT YOU DID TO ME. Okay thanks. — Utsav Chakraborty (@Wootsaw) November 21, 2019

This is the screenshot of the apology that @chanya_jaitly put up. She had to protect her tweets. Guys, PLEASE let her be. She did not intend any harm. It's possible that she was caught in the vitriol of the movement but so were most of you. So lay off. Thank you. pic.twitter.com/6XUvDhqQRg — Utsav Chakraborty (@Wootsaw) November 21, 2019

Remember this tweet by @AGirlOfHerWords? Read the screenshots and the insinuation that she put forth. Also notice the kind of language used so you know what narrative she was going for. pic.twitter.com/vJUgHbTyAT — Utsav Chakraborty (@Wootsaw) November 21, 2019

Now the thing about anonymous accounts is that, well, they're anonymous. It's hard to scope out who they are or whether they're even real people. In the event that this is a real person, I have a fairly good idea who this is. — Utsav Chakraborty (@Wootsaw) November 21, 2019

No lie is ever a 100% lie. Every lie is based on a modicum of truth. I used this tiny bit to trace who it was based on the interactions I've had with this person. In this case, the clues were 'messaged me on WhatsApp/Bangalore'. The only person who fit the bill? @kanikakaul22 — Utsav Chakraborty (@Wootsaw) November 21, 2019

As evidenced by these screenshots of our last conversation on Snapchat dated 30th May 2017, we were on pretty amicable terms and despite her claims to the contrary had not been 'blocked' by Kanika Kaul here. The cute conversation ends with the then Ms. Kaul giving me her number. pic.twitter.com/RDROEP8VQA — Utsav Chakraborty (@Wootsaw) November 21, 2019

"Pata nahi number kahan se mila" pic.twitter.com/gGd9ry9UUv — Utsav Chakraborty (@Wootsaw) November 21, 2019

And what unpardonable thing did I do with @kanikakaul22's WhatsApp number? This.



The last message is after the events of October 2018. pic.twitter.com/pxeLuxpUJV — Utsav Chakraborty (@Wootsaw) November 21, 2019

Continuing with the kind of language @AGirlOfHerWords was using - she was deliberately trying to make @kanikakaul22 look like she was much younger than I was. Because that would fit the powerful predator narrative far better, no? pic.twitter.com/oxvxeDwFH4 — Utsav Chakraborty (@Wootsaw) November 21, 2019

And how young was @kanikakaul22?



She turned 27 last year and is a straight up married woman.



So she's a sum total of ONE year younger than me. Don't be fooled by the 22 in her handle. pic.twitter.com/vD6SnIU6CZ — Utsav Chakraborty (@Wootsaw) November 21, 2019

Also to make it fair and unbiased, I would implore @kanikakaul22 to come out and tell her side. The objective is not to shut people up but to open a dialogue. If I'm wrong about anything, correct me. And if I'm not, validate me. — Utsav Chakraborty (@Wootsaw) November 21, 2019

Hate to be that guy but now I have to disprove @kanikakaul22's inaccurate explanation of @kanikakaul22's inaccurate anonymous allegations against me to @AGirlOfHerWords. I understand the need to double down and reassert what you initially claimed. It's a good tactic but sorry. — Utsav Chakraborty (@Wootsaw) November 22, 2019

For one, I wasn't part of any online video in a non-peripheral role well into 2016. So I get that Kanika is trying to establish some sort of power imbalance of her being a 'fan' of my videos where in fact my only claim to virality then was my Twitter account. pic.twitter.com/kaRvbz4tY0 — Utsav Chakraborty (@Wootsaw) November 22, 2019

Then she claims she was harassed by me asking for TOPLESS PICS. It's this kind of proto-pedo-uncle narrative that cemented @AGirlOfHerWords' legitimacy. In the original anonymous account universe, she blocked me then and there. In this version, the account was 'verbally shared'. pic.twitter.com/rgBsBLkS7q — Utsav Chakraborty (@Wootsaw) November 22, 2019

Buddy because of you, I lost a whole year and was left to fend for myself. At least have the decency of making it sound plausible. YOU MESSAGED ME. On my birthday. Do you do this with your harassers pretty often? And what was that Bitmoji? I pretended to get it but I still don't. pic.twitter.com/x0ijWOCYjc — Utsav Chakraborty (@Wootsaw) November 22, 2019

"There was nothing for me to gain from this."

This is also another part I vehemently disagree with. Putting out a supposedly scandalous story about me in October 2018 would automatically make you a part of an exclusive in-group. Which is also important to this story. pic.twitter.com/KF3PLMGR2q — Utsav Chakraborty (@Wootsaw) November 22, 2019

An exclusive in-group of ex-Buzzfeed writers, expats and artists. People with 'online-cred' basically. For the past year or so, this privileged cabal of cool has been regurgitating Mahima and Kanika's baseless words in private and public circles. Even furthering my decimation. pic.twitter.com/WVDsQxl3FX — Utsav Chakraborty (@Wootsaw) November 22, 2019

Check their handles and old tweets. Their support of Mahima has been fanatical at best and vociferous at worst. Countless tweets where they call me predatory and creepy, continuing the good work of their lord and savior @AGirlOfHerWords. — Utsav Chakraborty (@Wootsaw) November 22, 2019

Also, I'm not suggesting some secret bad faith conspiracy. I bet most of the members of this group don't even know what is what and they will believe the dominant narrative, which till this point was guided by @AGirlOfHerWords whose words were deemed sacrosanct after Oct 2018. — Utsav Chakraborty (@Wootsaw) November 22, 2019

In the concluding tweet, he once again pleads to people that since one of the women were now apologising publicly, they shouldn’t be harassed for whatever happened in the past.

Reiterating. Do not harass anyone mentioned by me here. Perhaps they were naive and were afraid of going against the narrative, or felt guilty about consenting in retrospect. They might have also felt like they were contributing to the greater good. We'll never know. — Utsav Chakraborty (@Wootsaw) November 22, 2019

In light of these new developments, several people on Twitter have expressed their disappointment over the way this issue was handled and how the accuser and the women who sent her these false stories have allegedly brought discredit to the #MeToo movement.

Send your nudes out. Ask for a response. When the person sends something disgusting then release to the world destroying his life. If this is not CIA level honey trapping, what is?

I feel guilty of not having even tried to hear this man's defence once.https://t.co/SyAF3mJh0k — Abijit Ganguly (@AbijitG) November 20, 2019

Twinkle Twinkle Metoo star

How I wonder what you are ?

Up above the truth so high

Everything was a fucking lie ! @forbes_india I think it's time to update your #powertrailblazer list #mahimakukreja #utsavchakraborty https://t.co/Hb6T5ZKsrD — Mishkka (@mishkkasingh) November 21, 2019

Social media trials should be stopped. People should be wise and let Court's handle the justice. All you can do is just encourage the person in distress to go to court. #MeToo #mahimakukreja #utsavchakraborty — Aniket Mane (@aniketmane00) November 21, 2019

India’s #MeToo wave has often been described as the weaker sibling of the global movement that managed to bring down names like Harvey Weinstein. While the Hollywood movie mogul faces legal proceedings, our #MeToo accused are back in their day jobs, and barely keeping a low profile. Alok Nath has starred in movies with A-list actors, Vikas Bahl has gotten his directing credits for Super 30 and is being invited to parties again, and Sajid Khan is probably back to mingling with his industry peers as well. Nana Patekar, who was accused by Tanushree Dutta, is MIA and people have ceased to care about anything Tanushree has to say. The real consequences, such as segregation and loss of employment were perhaps only borne by accused in academia, the comedy circuit and journalism/advertising fields. After issuing a bunch of apologies, AIB disbanded and withdrew from the active comedy scene for some time, dabbling in other ventures.

As for the women who brought on this wave, they’ve been added to magazines’ lists of ‘women who made an impact’, managed to speak on several platforms about #MeToo and are now asked to give their opinion anytime another such accusation comes to light.

Ascertaining what these latest pieces of information prove or don’t prove is outside our purview. Perhaps if we all understood that, then social media trials would cease to exist. However, what makes it harder is how convoluted the whole situation becomes now. For example, there is the matter of the statements made by his friends and fellow comedians Rohan Desai and Abhishek Upamanyu, who had back then corroborated the accuser's story and even offered up their own suspicions about Utsav that they had been harbouring for quite some time.

I called him out on the group immediately. This is July 2016. I said I won’t tell anyone yet. He called me immediately and said that she . We kicked him out of the group and also distanced ourselves from him. pic.twitter.com/6dENRyz3CR — Abhishek Upmanyu (@AbhiUpmanyu) October 4, 2018

Just wanna apologize for supporting/defending @Wootsaw in the past. I had confronted him about an incident and he convinced me that it was a misunderstanding and i believed him. I dismissed other stories are hearsays instead of being more alert. — Rohan Desai (@MautKaPashinda) October 4, 2018

In a series of tweets, both Desai and Upamanyu had mentioned the reason they had distanced themselves from Utsav. Female comedians like Aditi Mittal and Urooj Ashfaq, who called out Utsav in their tweets back then, had alleged that they did not do anything/defended him because they thought they knew him, even though whispers of his unsavoury behaviour had reached them before all this came out.

Now here’s a question. While Utsav may have managed to discredit some of the allegations against him or at least put them in a complete context, what do we do about the ‘disturbing behaviour’ that his colleagues claims he exhibited back then? Were the assumptions about him based solely on the accuser's version of events or did they have their own misgivings about Utsav? If it is the former, do they welcome Utsav back into the fold? And if it was the latter, then does discrediting some of the stories absolve him of what is allegedly wrong with his core behaviour?

The #MeToo movement has always been a double-edged sword that might just impale the very people wielding it to protect themselves. The movement was and continues to remain about accountability. It is about holding perpetrators of these crimes, no matter how small, accountable and punishing them. But accountability is also a two-way street. The rights of the women who chose to remain anonymous or speak up years after the abuse had actually happened were respected and protected. But once they did speak up, they became accountable for the stories that they put out into the world.

There are enough people out there ready to label the movement as a witch hunt. Oh, and those who want to use #NotAllMen as a means to end every argument. Let’s also not forget the men who claim they are now afraid of interacting with women because they fear they might be ‘falsely accused’ if their actions are misunderstood. It is only this two-way accountability then that can keep the sanctity of #MeToo intact. If the accusers abandon their crusade in the middle, perps walk free. It is not an easy task, and yet it is one that must be seen to its very end.

Utsav Chakraborty just made his case, and from the looks of it, he may have managed to sway a few people to see his side of the story. Again, we shouldn’t claim to know what the truth is because that is a rather absolute statement that should be reserved for higher authorities. However, the onus now lies on the accuser and the many women who levelled the allegations against him to come forth once again and stand by their statements.

If they don’t, then this goes the same way all the other stories went. Into nothing.

Artwork: Dhawal Bhanushali / Mashable India