ScoopWhoop makes statement after sexual harassment FIR against co-founder

ScoopWhoop co-founder Suparn Pandey has been accused of sexual harassment by an ex-employee

Hours after the emergence of a sexual harassment allegation against ScoopWhoop co-founder Suparn Pandey by a former senior executive of the media organisation, ScoopWhoop on Wednesday published an official statement saying the company 'strongly condemns any kind of harassment at the workplace' and that they take complaints of harassment 'seriously'.

"ScoopWhoop strongly condemns any kind of harassment at the workplace. We work towards ensuring a safe and secure workplace for all our employees and take any complaints of harassment extremely seriously," the statement said.

"In line with workplace laws, ScoopWhoop has an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC). The ICC constitutes of two of our most senior and experienced women employees and an independent observer who has served on ICC panels across various prestigious and international companies. 40 per cent of our workforce is women and we have equal representation in senior leadership positions. We have taken every step to ensure the complainant gets a fair hearing and are following the rule book on workplace harassment."

"The complaint was forwarded to the ICC immediately on receipt and the same is being inquired according to law. The company is adhering to the rules and regulations set forth by the Hon Supreme Court of India and the law of the land against sexual harassment at workplace and the investigation is ongoing. As an FIR has also been filed separately by the complainant, and the police investigation is ongoing, we are extending full cooperation to the police to conduct a full and fair investigation into the matter. We are fully prepared to accept the findings of the investigations and dutifully take the necessary action if found guilty," the statement added.

An FIR has been filed separately by the complainant, and investigation is underway.

The complainant registered a case, stating she was subjected to "inappropriate comments and lewd remarks" by Pandey.

She added, "Suparn Pandey in public commented on my sexuality and this comment included calling me names which reflected on my sexual orientation and my sexual preferences as well as characterised me in a certain way".

The other co-founders of the organisation have also been named in this case.

According to reports, the charges against the co-founder have been made by a senior executive of ScoopWhoop Media Pvt Ltd. The Vasant Kunj Police Station has booked Suparn under Sections, 354 A (sexual harassment), 509 (insulting the modesty of a woman) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.