DCW examines Newslaundry workplace harassment allegations

MUMBAI: Newslaundry’s workplace questions have moved from social media to a statutory doorstep. The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) has taken cognisance of allegations raised by former employees over the organisation’s handling of workplace sexual harassment complaints and implementation of its Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) mechanism.

DCW Chairperson Lata Gupta confirmed that the commission has begun a preliminary examination and is gathering and reviewing relevant information before deciding on its next steps.

Calling the matter “very sensitive”, Gupta said the commission was discussing and looking into the allegations and would respond after completing its preliminary assessment.

The development follows a series of posts on X by former Newslaundry employees questioning the functioning of the newsroom’s Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), changes to its composition and compliance with the POSH Act.

Former senior correspondent Sumedha Mittal said she hoped Newslaundry would “reflect just as seriously” on sexual harassment complaints within its own newsroom. Former employee Priya questioned whether staff had been informed after two ICC members left the panel and raised concerns about the subsequent reshuffle.

Former employee Nikita Singh questioned whether the organisation was fully POSH compliant and whether mandatory gender-sensitisation and POSH training sessions were being conducted.

Former employee Priyanka Ishwari also raised concerns about workplace conduct, alleging that senior journalists should be trained not to shout at women editors. She referred to an incident in which a woman editor was allegedly threatened during a work-related call.

The posts led to criticism of Newslaundry founder Abhinandan Sekhri, with social media users alleging a toxic newsroom culture and inadequate handling of workplace harassment concerns. Some also alleged that sexual harassment complaints had been buried internally.

The controversy began after Newslaundry removed a 2014 opinion article, titled Letter To Ms Tehelka-Assault-Victim, written by Nirupama Sekhri, sister of Abhinandan Sekhri, about the sexual assault case involving former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal.

In a note at the article’s original URL, Newslaundry said the piece no longer reflected the values guiding its journalism, citing subsequent legal developments, the #MeToo movement and changing public understanding.

The removal prompted former employees to question the organisation’s own workplace practices and the functioning of its POSH framework.

However, the public posts do not establish whether the concerns relate to complaints against Sekhri, other senior editorial employees or matters that had previously been examined by the ICC. It is also not clear from the material available whether formal complaints were filed internally or before a statutory authority.

Newslaundry Editor-in-Chief Manisha Pande had earlier told that the organisation’s workplace harassment committee had acted on every complaint it received. According to Pande, the committee had addressed complaints over the years, resulting in dismissals and suspensions where warranted, and “none of these complaints were against the CEO of Newslaundry”.

Pande also said she had reached out to two former colleagues who had raised specific issues on social media. She added that the committee’s external member had conducted a POSH training programme in November 2025.

For now, the DCW’s move remains a preliminary examination, rather than a finding on the allegations. The commission’s review will determine whether the concerns raised warrant further action.