Surat: Sarthana police have registered a case against a business owner for allegedly molesting a 23-year-old woman employee at her workplace and threatening to sack her if she resisted his advances.According to the FIR, the incident took place on Sept 27 at a commercial complex where the accused runs an establishment dealing in online products. The woman alleged that the accused sexually harassed her and threatened to terminate her employment if she did not comply with his demands.The complainant said she worked from 8am to 5pm along with six other women employees, who handled online sales of various products. On the day of the incident, after the other employees had left for home, the accused allegedly asked her to stay back to complete additional work.After some time, the accused allegedly groped her and touched her inappropriately. When she protested, he threatened to fire her if she resisted his advances.The woman was traumatised and unable to react. The accused allegedly took advantage of the situation and led her to the office bathroom. However, she managed to escape and return home.She initially refrained from approaching the police, fearing she would lose her job and concerned about her family’s financial condition. A few days later, when the accused again asked her to stay back after work, she refused.After the business owner announced a Diwali vacation, she contacted her father, who lives in her native place, and narrated her ordeal. Her father spoke to relatives in Surat, following which they decided to approach the police.Sarthana police inspector D K Patel told TOI, “We have registered an FIR against the accused, Dinesh Sorathiya. We have launched a probe to ascertain whether he had also molested other women employees at his office.”
