• Source:JND
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A private marketing firm in Kerala came under intense scrutiny after disturbing visuals emerged, allegedly showing underperforming employees being forced to crawl on their knees like dogs and lick coins from the floor. The visuals, aired by local television channels, prompted the state Labour Department and police to launch separate investigations into the purported incident.

Labour Minister V Sivankutty described the visuals as “shocking and disturbing” and ordered an immediate inquiry. He directed the district labour officer to submit a report without delay. The State Human Rights Commission also registered a case based on a complaint filed by High Court lawyer Kulathoor Jaisingh, while the Kerala State Youth Commission initiated a suo motu case and sought a report from the District Police Chief.

In a surprising twist, the man seen in the footage later claimed there was no workplace harassment. He alleged that the video was recorded months ago by a former manager who was later dismissed and is now attempting to defame the company. He reiterated this version of events to both the police and labour officials, stating that he continues to work at the firm.

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"I am still working in the firm... these visuals were from some months ago forcefully taken by a person who was working as the manager of the institution then. He was later asked to quit by the management and he is now using the visuals to tarnish the owner of the firm," he claimed, as quoted by news agency PTI.

According to police, the incident is linked to a private marketing firm operating in Kaloor, with the alleged abuse taking place in Perumbavoor. The firm’s owner denied the allegations, stating the incident might have occurred in a separate unit that previously marketed its products. Police added that no formal complaint has been filed and no case has been registered yet, though an investigation is underway.

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Kerala State Youth Commission Chairman M Shajar condemned the incident, calling for strict legal action against such degrading practices. Emphasising that such actions have no place in a civilised society, he urged the public to collectively oppose these anti-social trends.

(With PTI Inputs)