POSH Act Misused at Oberoi Hotel
• Employee Suicide Raises Serious Questions
• EIH Group Under Fire for Fake Harassment Charges
• Internal Committee Just a Puppet at Oberoi
Unmesh Gujarathi
Sprouts News Exclusive
Contact: +91 9322755098
Sprouts News Exclusive
Contact: +91 9322755098
Sprouts SIT uncovers misuse of the POSH Act at Mumbai’s Oberoi Hotel, where employees are allegedly targeted with false sexual harassment cases and biased internal inquiries. IC and departmental processes are manipulated to silence dissenters, with one case even leading to employee suicide. SIT demands urgent regulatory action and investigation.
Oberoi Hotel Faces Serious Allegations Over POSH Act Misuse: Employees Targeted, IC Biased, Claims SIT Investigation
Sprouts News Investigation Team (SIT) has uncovered a disturbing pattern of misuse of the Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplace (POSH) Act by Oberoi Hotel, Nariman Point, Mumbai, operated by the EIH Limited Group. Internal Committee (IC) proceedings, which are meant to protect employees, are allegedly being manipulated to target dissenters and suppress voices raised against exploitative labour policies.
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Contents
- POSH Act Misused at Oberoi Hotel
- • Employee Suicide Raises Serious Questions
- • EIH Group Under Fire for Fake Harassment Charges
- • Internal Committee Just a Puppet at Oberoi
- Oberoi Hotel Faces Serious Allegations Over POSH Act Misuse: Employees Targeted, IC Biased, Claims SIT Investigation
- POSH Act Misused to Silence Dissent at Oberoi Hotel
- Sprouts SIT Reveals Pattern of Unlawful Inquiries
- Advocate’s Role in Supporting Management Tactics
- IC Non-Compliance with POSH Act: Legal and Ethical Breach
- Sprouts SIT Demands Immediate Regulatory Intervention
- Oberoi Hotel POSH Misuse Alleged
POSH Act Misused to Silence Dissent at Oberoi Hotel
Multiple sources and testimonies reveal that employees who oppose anti-worker policies of the management are being falsely implicated in sexual harassment cases. Once an employee is marked for termination, management allegedly coerces female trainee staff into making false complaints. These complaints are then rushed through an IC process that lacks independence and credibility.
Despite the POSH Act mandating that the IC function autonomously and fairly, the Internal Committee at Oberoi Hotel allegedly operates under full control of hotel management. Investigations are superficial, and reports are either fabricated or incomplete—yet are used as grounds for disciplinary action under the Model Standing Orders of labour laws.
Sprouts SIT Reveals Pattern of Unlawful Inquiries
The Sprouts News Investigation Team (SIT) highlights repeated misuse of the departmental inquiry process, particularly involving inquiry officer Mr. Anil Naik, who has held the position for over 20 years. Regardless of facts presented or contradictions in evidence, Naik reportedly always concludes that the accused employee is guilty.
In one tragic instance, an employee who was under such an inquiry process took his own life. Despite complaints filed by the deceased’s family and trade union members at Vikhroli Police Station, no serious investigation was conducted. Even after escalating the matter to the Commissioner of Police, the police failed to assess the IC’s procedural violations.
Case Study:
• Ignored Evidence, Unfair Outcomes
•In one notable case, an Arab guest wrote to the hotel exonerating an employee accused of financial misconduct involving ₹19,000. However, the inquiry still ruled the worker guilty.
•In another instance, a female employee was accused of theft involving perfume bottles. CCTV footage revealed that the customer himself took the items. Security found nothing during the employee’s exit check. Yet, the inquiry still concluded her guilt.
Such outcomes raise serious questions about the neutrality and legality of these inquiries, especially when evidence directly contradicts the conclusions.
Advocate’s Role in Supporting Management Tactics
Advocate Chaitanya Torgal is reportedly acting as Management Representative (MR) in several inquiries, allegedly facilitating these illegal processes. His involvement further intensifies allegations of bias, as he is said to support management-driven narratives in all inquiry proceedings.
IC Non-Compliance with POSH Act: Legal and Ethical Breach
One employee was suspended after a sexual harassment complaint was filed in September. The IC inquiry was left incomplete, and without the complainant appearing for cross-examination, which is essential under natural justice principles. Nevertheless, the employee was subjected to a departmental inquiry under Model Standing Orders—a clear misuse of procedural rights.
These patterns clearly indicate systemic abuse of the POSH Act to eliminate targeted employees rather than to protect genuine victims of harassment.
Also Read: Six Years, Zero Action: Who Shields Sandhya Bawankule?
Sprouts SIT Demands Immediate Regulatory Intervention
The Sprouts News Investigation Team (SIT) urges authorities including:
•Ministry of Labour & Employment
•National Commission for Women
•Local Police Authorities
•Maharashtra Labour Commissionerate
To launch a thorough, unbiased investigation into these systemic irregularities at Oberoi Hotel, Nariman Point.
The alleged misuse of the POSH Act and departmental inquiries at Oberoi Hotel under EIH Limited is not just a labour rights issue—it’s a serious human rights concern. When laws meant to protect are weaponized to harass, suppress and silence, it undermines the entire spirit of justice and due process.
Sprouts News Investigation Team (SIT) will continue tracking developments and gathering more evidence to ensure accountability and justice for affected workers.
Oberoi Hotel POSH Misuse Alleged
Sprouts SIT reveals Oberoi Hotel’s HR threatened staff with false sexual harassment cases. Internal Committee accused of bias, with one suicide linked to misuse. Whistleblowers claim systemic abuse to protect senior officials.
Excellent work Mr. Unmesh Sir. As rightly demanded there should be thorough investigation into each and every issue raised in your post and also need for a PIL in the Bom Highcourt so that such enq occurs under the supervision of High Court. This power available with pvt sector company managements to take disciplinary action is mostly misused through persons available to carry out farce of domestic enquiries and such persons r mostly advocates. this has become a big earnning source for such people which is an easy money. this is contrary to public sector where enquiry officers are from a panel of EO available who are accountable and responsible. In oberoi Hotel not a singlle finding report has gone to its logical legal conclusion since hotel management settles matters with such workers facing disciplinary actions. secondly there is discrimination as workers that dont oppose antilabour policies can indulge into any act of misconduct and go scot free. In oberoi hotel one person held guilty in molestation case and sentenced to jail by the criminal court was never exposed to any such kind of disciplinary action.