Alstom appoints Aparna Srivastava acting corp com manager

French giant Alstom has appointed Aparna Srivastava as acting manager for its India operations on matters related to corporate communications following a criminal case against one of its employees heading the department.

Srivastava's appointment comes in the backdrop of the arrest of Vandana Dhir, Country Communications Director of Alstom India and South Asia, for allegedly assaulting and illegally confining a girl working as a maid in her house. Dhir was on Wednesday remanded in 14-day judicial custody by a Delhi court.

"Alstom India has learnt from various media reports of a criminal case against one of its employees (Vandana Dhir) and the same is under investigation since October 1, 2013.

"As a consequence, Alstom India has taken appropriate and immediate measures by appointing Aparna Srivastava as acting manager to represent Alstom for matters related to corporate communications until further notice. As an organisation, Alstom remains committed to the compliance of laws, highest ethical standards and the upholding of human rights," Alstom spokesperson Christine Rahard said from Paris.

The spokesperson was asked to comment on the company's stance in the case pertaining to Dhir.

However, the spokesperson added that "on this particular issue, you will understand that at this stage we have no further comments".

On October 1, Dhir was arrested after police filed a case under various sections of the IPC and under the provisions of the Bonded Labour Act.

The maid had reportedly told police that she had been working with her employers for the past one year without getting any renumeration and they used to beat her up almost every day, apparently not happy with her work.