Fintech startup CEO booked for sexual harassment

The chief executive of a city- based fintech startup has been booked for allegedly misbehaving with a female staffer, police said Tuesday.

A first information report (FIR) has been filed with the suburban Goregaon police station against Manish Agarwal, the chief executive of Cashcow, a police official said.

Agarwal has been booked under relevant IPC sections like 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354-A (sexual harassment) and 506 (criminal intimidation) among others, he said.

In her complaint, the woman alleged Agarwal had publicly been indulging in her character assassination and passing loose comments.

The victim claimed the accused also sought physical relationship with her.

When contacted, a company source said Agarwal has been away from work since the complaint was filed and the management is contemplating strict action against him.

The company, reportedly backed by Astarc Ventures, has about 35 employees and did not have an internal mechanism to deal with such complaints, the source said, adding a robust system will now be set up.

The accused is yet to be arrested and investigation into the matter was underway, the police official added.