Susmit Sen, co-founder of the popular Indian band Indian Ocean, has taken legal action against his former bandmates, Rahul Ram and Amit Kilam, over alleged unpaid royalties. Sen, who left the band in 2013 to pursue his own musical venture, Susmit Sen Chronicles, filed a police complaint alongside Sunita Chakravarty, the wife of late Indian Ocean member Ashim Chakravarty. The complaint, filed at the Mukherjee Nagar police station in New Delhi, accuses Ram and Kilam of various offenses, including criminal conspiracy, breach of trust, cheating, misappropriation, and fraud.
Sen claims that he and Chakravarty have not received any royalties from Indian Ocean since 2020 and 2021, respectively. They allege that they are owed more than ₹50 lakh each based on calculations from two years ago. Sen expressed his disappointment and heartbreak over the situation, stating that the breach of trust was particularly painful given his long history with the band.
In response to the complaint, Ram and Kilam released a statement expressing surprise and highlighting that the matter is already under review by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT). They claim that the criminal complaint is an attempt to pressure them into settling a pending civil dispute. The duo maintained that they will cooperate fully with the police investigation and asserted their confidence in the legality of their actions.
Sen, however, maintains that Ram and Kilam have not attempted to resolve the matter amicably despite a court order to do so. He alleges that the band members claimed they could not afford to pay royalties during the COVID-19 pandemic due to lack of work but later revealed they had earned a significant amount. The lack of transparency regarding their finances has further fueled the dispute.
The complaint against Ram and Kilam has raised questions about the future of Indian Ocean, one of India’s most popular bands known for its unique blend of rock, Indian classical, folk, and jazz elements. The band’s debut album was released in 1993, and they have since garnered a devoted fan base across the country. The outcome of this legal battle will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the future of the band and its legacy.
