US-based IT services company iGate Corp Tuesday said it has
sacked Chief Executive Officer Phaneesh Murthy over charges of s*xual
harassment by a female employee.
This is the second time Murthy has been charged for s*xual abuse.
Over a decade ago, the 49-year-old tech wizard had resigned from Indian
IT bellwether Infosys on similar charges.
“The decision to
terminate the employment of president and chief executive Phaneesh
Murthy was made following an investigation into a relationship he had
with a subordinate employee and a claim of s*xual harassment,” the
company said in a statement from Fremont, California.
Murthy denied the harassment charge and said he had not violated company policy.
“Recently
I learnt that a lady called Araceli Roiz, who is the IR (investor
relations) head of iGate, has filed charges against me claiming s*xual
harassment. She has not filed in a court, just sent a letter to the
company, claiming s*xual harassment. I do believe the charges are
completely false. But it is pursuant to a relationship I had with her.
Based on that, the company found it fit to believe that I had violated
company policy and terminated my employment. I don’t believe I have
violated company policy,” Murthuy said in a conference call.
When
asked about his next step, Murthy replied: “I don’t know if she is going
to file in a court of law. If she does, I will obviously contest it. If
she doesn’t, obviously there is nothing to contest. It depends on what
she and her lawyers decide. My course of action will be reactive. The
intent will be to contest it vigorously if there is a lawsuit filed. Or
if the company deems it fit that they should settle it using insurance,
that is the company’s prerogative.”
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