HC orders OLA to pay Rs 5 Lakh compensation in sexual harassment case involving cab driver
Bengaluru, Sep 30: The Karnataka High Court on Monday directed ANI Technologies, the parent company of OLA Cabs, to compensate a woman with Rs five lakh after she allegedly faced sexual harassment by one of their drivers during a trip in 2019.
Justice M G S Kamal, presiding over a single-judge bench, also instructed OLA's Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) to initiate a proper inquiry in line with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act).
The inquiry is to be concluded within 90 days, and a report must be submitted to the District Officer.
Additionally, ANI Technologies has been ordered to pay Rs 50,000 to cover the petitioner’s litigation expenses.
The Court emphasised that all parties must comply with Section 16 of the POSH Act, ensuring confidentiality of the identities involved. The Court had reserved its order on August 20.
The petitioner, who was subjected to the harassment, had initially approached OLA with her complaint, but the company's ICC, following advice from external legal counsel, declined to investigate, claiming it lacked jurisdiction.
The woman then sought relief from the High Court, requesting a directive for OLA to examine her complaint and for the Ministry of Women and Child Development to ensure the company adheres to POSH guidelines. She also urged the state to implement protective regulations for women and children using taxi services.
The Court has further directed the Karnataka State Road Safety Authority to expedite its proceedings regarding the notice issued to ANI Technologies, with a deadline of 90 days for completion. The state government has been ordered to pay a penalty of Rs one lakh for failing to respond adequately to the petition.
During the proceedings, the petitioner’s counsel argued that OLA functions as a transport company, not merely a platform, and should bear responsibility for its drivers’ actions. The counsel for OLA, however, contended that the drivers are independent contractors, and not employees, and the company should not be held liable under labour laws.
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NCB seizes over 39 kgs of Alprazolam in Telangana; three arrested
Hyderabad (PTI): A gang allegedly manufacturing and trafficking Alprazolam drug in bulk quantity illegally in Siddipet district of Telangana has been busted, NCB officials said on Sunday.
Three people, including a Chemist freelancer, have been arrested in this regard, they added.
As much as 39.470 kgs of Alprazolam worth around Rs 12 crore and Rs 85.36 lakhs in cash were seized on May 15, the Hyderabad Zonal Unit of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) said in a release.
On the basis of specific information, NCB officials intercepted two four-wheelers and two persons when they were exchanging Alprazolam illegally without any valid license.
The search resulted in the recovery of 39.470 kgs of Alprazolam and Rs 85,36,200 in cash, found to be proceeds of Alprazolam sales, it said.
On the basis of a disclosure made by one of the accused about the supplier of the Alprazolam, NCB officials apprehended another person from Hyderabad.
On interrogation, it was revealed that the person who supplied the drug had studied MSc Chemistry. He is working as a chemist freelancer, and he disclosed that he manufactured the seized Alprazolam clandestinely in his laboratory at Prashantnagar here, the NCB said.
All three persons "confessed to their involvement in manufacturing and trafficking of Alprazolam illegally" and were arrested under the relevant sections of the NDPS Act 1985.
Preliminary investigation suggested that they transacted around 150 kgs of Alprazolam over the last five years.
All three accused were produced before the magistrate and sent to judicial custody. Further investigation is ongoing, the release added.
