[Watch] Woman GM ‘Manhandled’ At RSP In Odisha: Internal Panel Rules Out Sexual Harassment By DGM

Rourkela: The Internal Complaints Committee of the Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) in Odisha has ruled out sexual harassment by a Deputy General Manager (DGM) of the steel plant following an inquiry into a complaint against him by a woman General Manager (GM).

Concluding that the allegation of sexual harassment is not proved by the sequence of events and CCTV footage, the committee, however, warned the DGM to maintain decorum in official meetings, particularly in the presence of women employees.

The woman, Nivedita Roy, GM (Design) in RSP, had alleged that she was manhandled by V B Ekka, DGM (Design), on November 16, 2021, at around 10.10 am in the office of HoD (Design) A K Goswami. During the meeting, she alleged that Ekka shouted at her. When she objected, Ekka allegedly tried to snatch her mobile phone, pushed and manhandled her in front of Goswami and other executives.

The entire incident was captured by a CCTV camera installed in Goswami’s room.

Ekka also tried to damage the CCTV monitor, modem and camera, which was captured by the CCTV camera.

According to the committee’s report, during the meeting on November 16, 2021, Ekka had requested the HoD for a one-to-one meeting to discuss a warning letter issued to him when Roy started recording the conversation.

Following the incident, Roy had lodged a complaint with RSP’s women cell, accusing Ekka of sexual harassment at workplace.

Ekka had refuted the allegations, terming them as false, fabricated and frivolous. He alleged that Goswami harboured harsh feelings against him and that he was humiliated in every morning meeting. Rather than focusing on his capabilities, he was “consistently reminded of his poor and tribal background”, he alleged.