Zilingo’s founder, Ankiti Bose, has lodged a First Information Report (FIR) against co-founder Dhruv Kapoor and former COO Aadi Vaidya, alleging cheating, fraud, intimidation, and harassment.
Zilingo, a prominent technology and commerce platform, has found itself embroiled in a contentious dispute following a First Information Report (FIR) filed by its founder, Ankiti Bose, against two key figures within the company – co-founder Dhruv Kapoor and former Chief Operating Officer (COO) Aadi Vaidya.
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The FIR accuses Kapoor and Vaidya of a range of serious offenses, including cheating, fraud, criminal intimidation, and both sexual and mental harassment.
In her detailed six-page complaint, Bose paints a damning picture of Kapoor and Vaidya’s alleged misconduct, describing them as “sneaky and shady” individuals who deliberately concealed vital company-related information. She alleges that they engaged in deceptive activities aimed at gaining financial advantages and coercing her into relinquishing her shares and business under false pretenses.
According to Bose, Vaidya, in his capacity as COO, falsely attributed loss-making deals to her, extending trade credit in her name and subsequently using these deals to threaten her reputation with investors. She claims to have been subjected to threats, deception, and false attributions of errors, all designed to facilitate Vaidya’s fraudulent acquisition of her shares, which are reportedly valued at substantial sums.
In response to these grave allegations, Dhruv Kapoor vehemently denies any wrongdoing, asserting that Bose’s allegations are entirely baseless, untrue, and motivated by malice. He claims that a thorough investigation into Bose’s conduct had already revealed her wrongdoing, leading to her termination from the company.
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Kapoor maintains his integrity throughout his tenure at Zilingo, highlighting his cooperation with the board’s inquiry into Bose’s alleged misconduct and his commitment to fostering professional relationships while upholding ethical standards.
Similarly, Aadi Vaidya also refutes Bose’s accusations, dismissing them as baseless and driven by a malicious intent to harm his reputation. He asserts his innocence and insists that the allegations made against him are nothing more than an afterthought concocted by Bose in retaliation for her termination from the company.
The rift between Zilingo’s founders casts a shadow over the company’s once-promising trajectory. Founded in 2015 by Bose and Kapoor, Zilingo witnessed rapid growth, with its valuation soaring to Rs 7,000 crore by 2019. However, the company’s fortunes took a downturn in 2022 when Ankiti Bose was terminated by the board following an investigation into alleged financial irregularities.
The board’s decision to terminate Bose’s employment “with cause” underscores the seriousness of the allegations leveled against her and sets the stage for a protracted legal battle as Zilingo grapples with the fallout from this internal strife.
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