Udupi: A disturbing incident of mistreatment at a workplace has surfaced from Wandaar, Brahmavar taluk, where a factory employee was allegedly forced to stand outside the premises for nearly an hour by the factory owner, following accusations of negligence.
The victim, Praveen (29), a resident of Shiroor village, works as an electrician at Krishna Prasad Cashew Factory. On the night of June 16, after completing his shift, Praveen returned home. Around 12:30 AM, the factory’s supervisor, Suresh, contacted him to report a power disruption affecting one phase.
The next morning, June 17, Suresh called again stating that the electricity issue persisted. Concerned, Praveen checked with the local lineman and headed to the factory. Upon arrival, he was stopped at the gate by HR officer Chandrashekar, who said that owner Sampath Shetty had barred him from entering.
Adding to the humiliation, Praveen’s motorbike and mobile phone were taken away, and he was allegedly left standing outside the gate alone. When Shetty arrived, he reportedly verbally abused Praveen and blamed him for financial losses related to diesel usage. The worker was then forced to remain outside the gate for an hour under the sun.
Later, Praveen’s uncle took him to the Shankaranarayana Primary Health Center, where he received medical attention.
A police complaint has been filed at the Shankaranarayana Police Station, and an investigation is underway.
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