Coca-Cola India said on Tuesday its dispute with brand ambassador Sushmita Sen was only with regard to 'celebrity engagement' contract and not on any sexual harassment issue and that both parties had reached a mutually agreed settlement.
Certain media reports had alleged that the settlement was for an alleged sexual harassment case against a senior Coca-Cola executive.
"This was the dispute between the company (Coke) and its brand ambassador with respect to celebrity engagement. Lawyers from both sides were working on it. This was settled for a mutually agreed consideration," Coca-Cola India vice president Sunil Gupta said.
Former Miss Universe Sushmita Sen could not be contacted for comments. A spokesperson for the actress said her lawyer was away and so she would not make any comment on the issue.
Declining to confirm the Rs 1.45 crore (Rs 14.5 million) amount Coke has reportedly paid to Sen, Gupta cited the confidentiality clause and chose to remain silent.
Asked again for what purpose or dispute the settlement had been made, Gupta said: "Contrary to media reports this consideration relates only to terms of celebrity engagement contract. (It has) absolutely no relation to so-called allegation of harassment."
Gupta said Sushmita Sen had been signed as a brand ambassador for Thums Up in February 2001 and her contract was valid till January 31 next year.
Bipasha Basu and Akshay Kumar are the new ambassadors for Thums Up, he added.
