Thiruvananthapuram: Social media influencer and entrepreneur Diya Krishna has refuted allegations of kidnapping and threatening former employees of her jewellery brand, 'Oh By Ozy'. Speaking to Mathrubhumi News, Diya stated that the accusations lack evidence and are retaliatory in nature.

Diya Krishna's response

Addressing the media, Diya Krishna denied the kidnapping allegations, asserting that the employees voluntarily accompanied her to discuss the financial discrepancies. She highlighted that any claims made against her should be substantiated with evidence.

“Whatever is said requires evidence, right? I have released evidence for all the allegations I had to make against them. The truth is that the media or police have not received any evidence from them, as they claim. I can accept the allegations the day they provide evidence,” Diya stated.

She elaborated further on the events of the day the incident allegedly took place by saying, “On the morning of the day they claim they gave the money, I kept telling them that I was pregnant. Their husbands took turns calling my number that day. When I didn't answer, they called my husband too. Their demand was not to proceed with the case. They also asked me not to tell my father about the matter and not to reveal things on social media.”

Diya asserted that the gravity of the fraud committed by the employees was significant and deserved to be exposed publicly.

“My response to them was that the fraud they committed was not small. I said then that the pictures of those who committed the criminal offence should be released. They said that their wives made a mistake and that they would provide any compensation.”

“I told them then to arrange whatever money they could and bring it to me. I said this thinking they didn't have it. However, phone calls started coming to my husband from the morning. They said they had brought the money. When I reached downstairs, they were there. I was crying in front of them.”

According to Diya, the truth came out during a conversation in her flat involving her family.

“Meanwhile, when my mother and sisters came to the flat, they came in and started talking. At this time, they told the whole truth. They said it happened by mistake. When asked for accounts, they repeatedly said they had been taking money for a long time and asked for forgiveness.”

She questioned the credibility of the employees’ defence, particularly regarding how they procured the money so quickly.

“When asked how they got so much money overnight, they have no answer. If they didn't do wrong, then why did they give the money? We accepted it because they were ready to give the money.”

Diya also responded to criticism about her authoritative tone and allegations of caste-based discrimination.

“When they say I speak with authority, I am the one paying them salaries. I have that authority, right? When they are cornered, they bring up the caste card. I am someone who worked alongside them. If there was caste discrimination, why would I even hire them? Why would I hire these three people? I don't know why caste and religion are being brought into this.”

She added that the employees and their families were desperate to avoid legal action and pleaded with her to maintain their anonymity.

“Their demand was that their faces should not be revealed. Their husbands cried more than they did. They said they wouldn't get jobs anywhere if there was a case. They said they didn't know their wives had made a mistake and were like this. The day after giving the money, one of their husbands called me. He demanded that I give it in writing that I would not file a case against them.”

Background of the case

The controversy began when Diya Krishna accused three employees of defrauding her business by diverting customer payments to their personal accounts. According to Diya, the employees manipulated the store's QR code system, resulting in a loss of approximately ₹69 lakh. A case was filed against the employees based on these allegations.

Subsequently, the accused employees filed a counter-complaint against Diya and her father, actor-politician Krishna Kumar, alleging that they were forcibly taken to another location and coerced into handing over ₹5 lakh. The employees claimed they were threatened with false theft charges and that their interactions were recorded without consent.

Legal proceedings

The Museum Police in Thiruvananthapuram have registered two separate cases: one against the employees for alleged financial fraud and another against Diya Krishna and her father for alleged abduction and extortion.