Indian Ocean: Former bandmate files complaint against Rahul Ram-Amit Kilam
Indian Ocean band's former member Susmit Sen and Sunita Chakravarty, the widow of co-founder Ashim Chakravarty, have reportedly filed a police complaint against current members Rahul Ram and Amit Kilam. The complaint also names Kandisa Music Productions Pvt Ltd, the company that manages the band. Per a report by Wion, the duo has accused Ram and Kilam of non-payment of royalties since 2020-21. Here are more details.
Sen, Chakravarty accused Ram, Kilam of criminal conspiracy
The complaint was filed in New Delhi. It accuses Ram and Kilam of criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, cheating, misappropriation, falsification of accounts, money laundering, and embezzlement. In their complaint, the duo claimed that they have not received any royalties or dues from the Indian Ocean since 2020, with Chakravarty specifically not being paid since 2021. They reported that they have been deprived of royalty payments, amounting to over half a crore rupees per person.
Sen left Indian Ocean in 2013; Chakravarty died in 2009
Sen, who had co-founded the band with Chakravarty in 1990, had left the Indian Ocean in 2013. However, he remains a shareholder in Kandisa Music Productions Pvt Ltd. He now runs a separate band called Susmit Sen Chronicles. Notably, Chakravarty had died in December 2009 due to complications from a cardiac arrest he suffered earlier that year. His wife Sunita lives in New Delhi.
'No pleasure to take police action against band...'
Reflecting on the complaint, Sen reportedly said, "Having founded the band with Ashim [Chakravarty], it gives me no pleasure to take police action against it today." "What I have had to go through is really unfortunate, given that me and Ashim had founded the band, and I was its composer and lead guitarist." "It is needless to say I was an integral member of Indian Ocean," he added.
Know more about the band and its members
Indian Ocean continues to perform live shows. The band's current line-up includes vocalist Himanshu Joshi, lead guitarist Nikhil Rao, and a few others, apart from Ram and Kilam. Following Sen's departure in 2013—Ram remains the only founding member featured on Indian Ocean's debut album. Since 2010, Indian Ocean has moved away from traditional record labels—opting to release their latest album, 16/330 Khajoor Road, online for free. This decision stemmed from their frustration with negotiating contracts and dealing with copyright disputes.
