A 36-year-old woman has lodged an FIR against six of her colleagues for allegedly misbehaving with her at her ex-workplace.
According to the FIR registered by the Powai police on Nov 8, 2022, the woman had joined Geddit Convenience Pvt Ltd as an HR manager in August, 2022. The firm is a licensee of Zepto Company and offices of both the firms are in different buildings in Powai. On Nov 14, 2022, the victim was removed from the company.
As per the FIR, the victim had submitted a complaint application at the Powai police station informing that a few employees at Geddit had inappropriately touched her.
The FIR alleged, “On Aug 16, 2022, the victim had joined Geddit Convenience Pvt. Ltd as HR manager. As both the firms are at the same place, the employees know each other. The victim was responsible for recruitments and terminations, while also dealing with employee problems. But certain employees did not like this and spoke about it to their colleagues in Zepto.”
“In September 2022, a colleague spoke to the victim in an abusive manner in front of everyone regarding her work. Twice later he argued insultingly,” alleged the FIR.
Victim asked to keep the accused 'happy'
On October 20, 2022, when the victim sent a message on WhatsApp to her seniors at Zepto and informed about the incident, she was told that certain employees are shareholders and run the firm so she should keep them 'happy'.
In her complaint, the victim alleged that on Nov 11, 2022, a colleague called her to a room where four other colleagues from her company were present and all insulted her by using wrong language and shouted about her work.
Also, some of these employees deliberately touched her in a wrong way while going back and forth. At that time, while talking on the phone, one of the employees took her phone by force.”
The Powai police on Thursday registered a complaint under sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) and 34 (Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code.
ZEPTO issues Clarification
Zepto reached out to Free Press Journal to issue a clarification. "The complainant was terminated on 14th November 2022 and the FIR was filed on 30th March 2023. Meaning she was not terminated for the said reason. The FIR was filed on 30th March 2023. The offices of Zepto and Geddit are not in the same building. She was terminated from her service by Geddit."
“Zepto is an equal opportunities employer, with a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of harassment or discrimination at the workplace. In this case, our internal inquiry has been duly completed and submitted to the investigating authorities. We are committed to creating a healthy and inclusive environment without any fear or prejudice for all. We trust in the authorities to take a fair decision basis facts and will continue to extend all necessary cooperation in this matter.”
