#MeToo: Times of India Hyderabad editor KR Sreenivas on 'administrative leave' after sexual harassment allegations

In another latest development in #MeToo movement in Indian Journalism Editor for The Times of India in Hyderabad KR Sreenivas has been sent on an "administrative leave" following seven women petitioned the newspaper to take action regarding sexual misconduct allegations on him.

As reported by The News Minute's, in an email to its employees, The Times of India has written that in its

commitment to provide "all colleagues with a safe and conducive work environment which is free of sexual harassment".

Even after the management is investigating the complaints against Sreenivas and a "fair and impartial inquiry" to be conducted in the matter. Sreenivas has been sent on an "administrative leave" till the completion of the

investigation.

Srinivas in an earlier statement to Firstpost in relation to the allegations against him, said, "TOI has said the charge would be investigated by its committee against sexual harassment. A highly empowered and accessible committee under this policy and under the law is in place to investigate and address all allegations of sexual harassment. The group is headed by a senior woman executive. I will submit myself to the investigation."

On Monday, seven women had written to the national newspaper The Times of India, accusing KR Sreenivas of sexual misconduct and requested the termination of his employment with the newspaper with "immediate effect". As the #MeToo movement erupted in India on social media, several women had accused Sreenivas of sending unsuitable messages and making sexually provoked gestures which caused them mental disturbance and insecurity.

Journalist Sandhya Menon blamed Sreenivas,for inappropriately touching her when he was dropping her home one night in 2008. She wrote on Twitter, "I went to the committee for sexual harassment at BCCL (Bennett, Coleman and Co Ltd €" TOI's parent company) to figure out what I need to do and the woman who headed it (I forget her name) told me she knew Sreeni for a long time and it's unlikely he'd do something like that,"

Following Sandhya's tweets, several women came forward with their allegations of being sexually harrased by Sreenivas.