Wipro shares tank over discrimination suit

NEW DELHI: Wipro shares closed lower by 2 per cent to Rs 589.10 on Wednesday after reports that the company has relieved some manager-level staff in a disciplinary action due to conflict of interest.

The company in a statement said it had relieved Manoj Punja and Shreya Ukil from the services of the company "after an impartial inquiry established beyond reasonable doubt that they had violated the company's policy on conflict of interest."

In a sexual discrimination and equal pay claim at the central London employment tribunal, Shreya Ukil had alleged that she was discriminated against in terms of her pay in comparison to male colleagues at similar positions and accused her manager and former Wipro executive Manoj Punja of forcing her to have an affair with him.

Ukil claimed she was manipulated into an affair with Punja, 54, who was married. She has claimed 1.2 million pounds in damages.

On Wednesday, UK-based The Telegraph reported that 39-year-old Ukil had alleged that she was subjected to a "deeply predatory, misogynistic culture" at Wipro.

Wipro said: "Company policy requires employees to disclose to the organisation any personal relationship that could create conflict. Failure to disclose such relationships results in disciplinary action, including separation."

"Wipro takes serious objection to the scurrilous allegations made against the company and will initiate legal action to defend itself against insidious and defamatory allegations. The company has built its business over the years by ensuring it adheres to the highest standards of integrity, fairness, and ethical corporate practices. Any transgression of these beliefs and policies are dealt with expeditiously and with the strictest action. Our guiding principles have always been matters of the highest priority for our leadership and they have consistently set the tone from the top, through examples in action and thought,” the statement said.