Daijiworld Media Network – Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar, Aug 19: The Mahindra Group on Monday launched an internal probe after Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP Sulata Deo alleged that one of its employees sent her rape and death threats on social media.

Issuing a statement, the Anand Mahindra-led company said it has “zero tolerance” towards any form of intimidation or misconduct. “We have been made aware of certain undignified and highly inappropriate messages allegedly made by one of our employees towards a political leader on Facebook. Mahindra Group has always upheld the importance of human dignity and respect, and we take this matter with utmost seriousness,” the statement read.

The accused has been identified as Satyabrata Nayak, who, according to his Facebook profile, works at the company’s Nashik branch. Deo alleged that he is also a BJP worker. “A worker of Mahindra Company, Nasik as well as a BJP worker openly threatens a woman MP to rape and kill. If this is the situation, imagine what happens to the unprivileged women of Odisha,” she wrote in a post tagging the Prime Minister’s Office.

She also claimed that despite her complaint, police officials have “turned a blind eye” and no action has been taken yet.

The incident has triggered widespread outrage across political lines. TMC MP Sagarika Ghose called it “utterly shocking and unacceptable,” while Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi condemned the threats and urged the Centre to act. BJD MP Sasmit Patra termed it “a vile attack on democracy” and demanded swift action.

Mahindra said that if the allegations are found true, strict disciplinary measures will follow in accordance with its code of conduct.