Ola To Pay Rs 5 Lakh Compensation In 2019 Bengaluru Sexual Harassment Case

The Karnataka High Court has directed ANI Technologies Private Limited, the operator of Ola Cabs, to pay ₹5 lakh as compensation to a woman who was sexually harassed by a cab driver in Bengaluru five years ago.

The verdict, delivered by a single-judge bench led by Justice M.G.S. Kamal, came after the victim filed a petition seeking action against the incident. The judgment, which was reserved after the completion of arguments, was pronounced on Monday. The court's detailed order is yet to be released.

The victim had initially approached the company's internal complaints committee, requesting an investigation into her harassment. However, the committee did not take any action, prompting her to move to the High Court.

The court directed the company's internal complaints committee to conduct an investigation into the matter under the provisions of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013. The investigation must be concluded within 90 days, and the findings submitted to the district authorities.

In addition to the ₹5 lakh compensation, the court instructed ANI Technologies to pay ₹50,000 to cover the petitioner's litigation costs.

The court further emphasized that the identities of those involved must remain confidential, in accordance with Section 16 of the PoSH Act, and warned mediators to ensure compliance.

The case dates back to 2019, when the woman lodged a sexual harassment complaint against an Ola driver. Despite her complaint, the company failed to take any action, and its internal complaints committee dismissed external legal advice claiming it lacked the authority to investigate. This led the woman to seek justice in the High Court.