Case under Sections 354A (sexual harassment) and 509 of IPC
Firm failed to investigate internally, victim resigned on May 1.
New Delhi , 15th May, 2024 :
On Sunday, the Barakhamba police station registered an FIR against Gautam Aggarwal, Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) of BLS International Services Limited, following a complaint of sexual harassment filed by a female employee of the company.
The police have registered a case under Sections 354A (sexual harassment at workplace) and 509 (word, gesture, or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Indian Penal Code.
The complainant, who served as Head of Corporate Communication at the company’s offices in Vijaya Building and Indra Prakash Building, accused Aggarwal of persistent sexual harassment at workplace and the use of abusive language. She has accused the accused leveraged their long-standing professional terms to harass her both mentally and physically.
In her detailed complaint, the woman alleged that Aggarwal repeatedly made inappropriate physical and sexual advances and forced her for a physical relationship. After confrontation, he resorted to using abusive language. The continued sexual harassment led to distress, prompting her resignation on May 1, 2024. She communicated her reasons for leaving in an email to the company chairman, Diwakar Aggarwal, highlighting the sexual harassment she faced in the hand of accused.
Despite raising the issue internally and requesting the formation of a committee to ensure women’s safety, no action was taken against the accused by the company. The ongoing harassment compelled the woman to seek police intervention.
The complainant has urged the authorities to take appropriate action against the accused to ensure justice and prevent further misconduct. FIR has been registered by the police at Police Station Barkhamba Road, New Delhi.
Suditi Raje