Venezuelan intern alleges sexual harassment at infra firm

A Venezuelan architecture student has alleged sexual harassment by her bosses during her internship with a real estate firm, having projects in Pune and Mumbai.

Belkis Campos (23), who came to India for an internship through AIESEC International, a global network of students, has approached its Internal Control Board, seeking an ethics case against AIESEC, Pune for "negligence" in dealing with her complaint.

She said she had complained to AIESEC, Pune about being subjected to sexual harassment by Xrbia Infrastructure Private Limited chairman Rahul Nahar, the company's sales director Pritam Mutha, and vice president (land) Akesh Bohra.

A Moroccan intern was also harassed, the complaint dated November 13 said.

Campos came to India on September 30 for a six-month internship with Xrbia under AIESECs Global Talent Programme.

However, Xrbia officials named by her have rebuffed the allegations, saying they were "motivated".

When contacted, Karn Vijra of AIESEC, Pune said "all of this" has already been taken care of, adding they (AISEC, Pune) have already spoken to the intern about the issue.

Vijra declined to elaborate.

In his response, Rahul Nahar told PTI: "Where is the harassment part included in this. At the most it can be termed as a verbal abuse. There is also no allegation about harassment or anything in the conversation that can be termed as crossing the line."