Poonawalla Fincorp CTO Dhiraj Saxena Quits After Harassment From Company's Chief HR

Workplace toxicity and efficiency have been a major part of the corporate discourse in 2024. With extreme incidents of many succumbing to the added stress of work, the need to address elements causing distress has acquired prominence.

CTO Quits Over Harassment

In another development emerging from the same spectrum of discourse, recently Poonawalla Fincorp's Chief Technical Officer, or CTO resigned from the company under duress.

In a resignation letter that cannot be independently verified, Poonawalla CTO Dhiraj Saxena cited harassment and unnecessary intervention from the CHRO, or Chief Human Resources Officer, for the reason behind his decision.

In the letter with the subject line 'Resignation from the post of Chief Technology Officer due to harassment', Saxena elucidated his reasons for resignation in brief. In the letter, he further went on to add, "I hereby resign from the post of Chief Technology Officer due to harassment & un-necessary interventions of CHRO which is impacting me in managing the IT function effectively and efficiently."

Recent Shake Up At Poonawalla Fincorp

Furthermore Saxena added, "This is creating major unrest in the team thereby impacting the IT delivery. I have tried my best to collaborate, but it seems it is not the intention of the other side."

The company, according to reports has seen some big shuffles in the recent past. HDFC Bank's Arvind Kapil switched to Poonawalla Fincorp, joining the company as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer in June 2024.

In addition, the man in the middle of the controversy, Harsh Kumar, the CHRO was also brought into the company in July 2024.

So far, neither Saxena nor the company has official released any statement or issued any clarification in the matter. Dhiraj Saxena's LinkedIn profile continues to mention his role as Chief Technology Officer at Poonawalla Fincorp.

Saxena has been a part of the company since 2023. Previously, he has worked with IDBI Bank, L&T Finance and ICICI Bank.

Poonawalla Fincorp is a part of the famed Pune-based conglomerate, Cyrus Poonawalla Group. The group is currently headed by Adar Poonawalla. The company also owns pharma company Serum Institute of India.