New Delhi: Ten years after a sexual harassment row, Phaneesh Murthy is back in the spotlight for harassment again. The 49-year-old IT industry veteran was sacked as President and CEO of iGATE - the California-based company he helped found.
iGATE management says, "The board's decision was made as a result of an investigation by outside legal counsel, engaged by the board, of the facts and circumstances surrounding a relationship Mr Murthy had with a subordinate employee and a claim of sexual harassment."
But Phaneesh is crying foul over his sacking. He called his firing part of an extortion scandal. "Without question it's a case of extortion. I don't want to comment on any boardroom battle or anything," says Phaneesh.
But it's the second time that Phaneesh has been embroiled in scandal. The IIM-IIT alumnus who was once tipped to take over as the next CEO of Infosys was forced to resign in 2002 when an employee alleged harassment. That case was settled by Infosys for 3 million dollars.
Mohandas Pai said, "Well, I think it is a sad event. The company has taken the appropriate decision based on whatever data it has got and the committee's decision it has set up. It is very unfortunate it has happened again. I would have thought that possibly, he would have taken his earlier misdemeanour to heart and not done something like this."
Phaneesh often called the other Murthy of Infosys, had many admirers within and outside the company. He was also the highest paid executive in the company with a take home package of Rs 2 crore. iGATE too acknowledges his significant contributions in establishing the company as an industry leader. But Phaneesh may now have no place to turn with the second scandal blighting his prospects.
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