British Sikh chef and former BBC presenter, Hardeep Singh Kohli, has been released on an undertaking after being arrested and charged with sexual harassment allegations. The 54-year-old chef has been accused by more than 20 women of predatory and sexually inappropriate behavior, according to an investigation by The Times newspaper.
Police Scotland stated that a 54-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with allegations of non-recent sexual offenses. He has been released on an undertaking and will appear in court at a later date. They have submitted a report to the procurator fiscal, the independent public prosecution office in the region.
The investigation into Hardeep Singh Kohli began last month after fresh complaints of sexual harassment allegations emerged. A former Labour party official claimed that Kohli bombarded her with unwanted sexual comments after contacting her on social media. The woman stated that he immediately started talking about sex during their phone conversation and made her feel uncomfortable. Kohli deleted his X profile last month after numerous women accused him of sexually inappropriate behavior.
Hardeep Singh Kohli was born in London to immigrant parents from Punjab. He presented several programs for the BBC and other broadcasters and was the runner-up in the 2006 edition of Celebrity MasterChef. However, the BBC severed ties with him in 2020. Prior to that, he was suspended by the BBC for six months in 2009 following allegations of inappropriate conduct towards a female researcher.
In 2009, Kohli ventured into comedy at the Edinburgh fringe, performing a one-man show where he cooked curries on stage. He also wrote for The Guardian and participated in Celebrity MasterChef in 2006 and Celebrity Big Brother in 2018.
The case of Hardeep Singh Kohli raises significant concerns regarding sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior. With multiple allegations made against him, it is crucial to thoroughly investigate the claims and ensure justice is served. It is a reminder that individuals in positions of power must be held accountable for their actions, and sexual harassment must never be tolerated.
The outcome of Kohli’s court appearance will shed further light on the situation and determine the consequences he may face. In the meantime, it is important to support the victims and work towards creating safer environments where such behaviors are unequivocally condemned.
