Tata Group Terminates Suhel Seth’s Contract Over MeToo Allegations
Author and socialite Suhel Seth was accused of sexual harassment by at least five women.
Tata Group announced on Monday, 29 October, that it has terminated the contract of its consultant Suhel Seth after he was accused of sexual harassment, News18 quoted sources as saying on Twitter.
His contract with Tata Sons will end on 30 November 2018, ANI reported.
Seth, an author and a socialite who worked as a consultant with the Tata Group's public relations team, was accused of sexual harassment by at least five women earlier in October.
WHO ACCUSED SUHEL SETH?
The allegations were made as the #MeToo movement gathered pace in India, with several women speaking up against prominent personalities and journalists.
Journalist Mandakini Gahlot, writer Ishita Yadav, filmmaker Natashja Rathore, and writer Ira Trivedi are among the women who have accused Seth.
THE ALLEGATIONS
Of the women who had accused Seth of sexual harassment, most recounted a similar pattern in the way he approached them. In her allegations, film director Natasha Rathore said Seth offered them drinks, and forcibly threw himself on them.
In a post on Twitter on 10 October, Rathaore wrote that after inviting her for drinks in his house in Gurugram, Seth tried to forcibly tried to kiss her despite her saying no.
Recounting a similar incident, 33-year-old journalist Mandakini Gahlot on Twitter described an alleged incident involving Seth.
She said the incident took place during a meeting at the Taj-Fort Aguada Beach Resort, Goa in July, 2011, wherer he tried kissing Gahlot without after few round of drinks.
TATA GROUP’S REACTION
Earlier Tata Group had said that the company was looking into the issue and would soon take a decision on the matter. Speaking to The Economic Times, a spokesperson had said:
"Tata Group is committed to promoting a safe workplace for women. We have noted the recent reports regarding Mr Seth in the media. We are looking into the issue and will decide on a further course of action in this regard."
HOW SUHEL SETH REACTED TO ALLEGATIONS
On 11 October, The Quint reached out to Seth for a response over allegations against him. The author had said that he would put out a statement soon. Since then, nothing has been heard from him.
In an article published on 28 October, Scroll.in wrote that Seth has not been responding to their e-mails and has switched off his mobile phone.
(With inputs from ANI, News18 and, Scroll.in The Economic Times)
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