K.R. Sreenivas, the resident editor of The Times of India Hyderabad edition, has been accused by multiple women of predatory behaviour.
New Delhi: The Hyderabad resident editor of The Times of India, K.R. Sreenivas, resigned Saturday following multiple allegations of alleged sexual harassment and assault made during the ongoing #MeToo movement.
Multiple women have accused Sreenivas of sending them lewd messages, touching them in inappropriate ways, and passing sexual remarks, among other things.
While it is not yet clear whether Sreenivas was asked to put in his papers or he did so of his own volition, on 9 October, The Times of India had sent the former editor on administrative leave.
The move came after at least seven women allegedly harassed by Sreenivas petitioned the daily to take action against him.
In the petition, which had demanded that Sreenivas be sacked from the media group, the women had detailed the harassment they had allegedly suffered at his hands, including being punished professionally if they objected to his advances.
Also read: I regret filing a ‘due process’ complaint, says a sexual harassment victim watching #MeToo
‘A safe work environment’
“TOI is committed to providing all colleagues with a safe and conducive work environment, free of sexual harassment,” an email sent out by the group to its employees after the petition stated.
“In keeping with this commitment, the internal complaints committee of the BCCL is looking into concerns that have been brought to our notice about K.R. Sreenivas,” the mail added. “To ensure a fair and impartial inquiry, he has been asked to proceed on administrative leave pending closure of the inquiry. Please be assured that the committee is completely independent in its functioning,” it said.
Sreenivas’ resignation comes close on the heels of film director and actor Sajid Khan stepping down as director of Housefull 4, after he was accused of sexual harassment by at least three women.
Also read: Days before MeToo, Vinod Rai was accused of covering up sexual harassment by BCCI colleague
Before this, Phantom films announced its dissolution as allegations of harassment and molestation emerged against producer-cum-director Vikas Bahl.
As the #MeToo movement continues to gather steam in the country, the Centre Friday announced that it will establish a committee to look into the issues being thrown up by the movement.
The editor of Calcutta Times has been shifted out, to facilitate an impartial probe. A process of cleansing has started. It will be more productive for the future, for the past is something that cannot be undone.