The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) has ordered an inquiry into allegations of workplace harassment at the Coir Board’s headquarters in Kochi, following the death of 56-year-old Jolly Madhu who was working as a Section Officer. Jolly, who had filed a workplace harassment complaint against senior officials at the Board, passed away on February 10 after suffering a cerebral haemorrhage.
“It has come to the notice of the Ministry of MSME that certain allegations are being raised at various forums against the senior officials of Coir Board for circumstances leading to the sad demise of Ms. Jolly Madhu, Section Officer, Coir Board, Kochi due to illness in the hospital.” the ministry said in a press release issued on February 10 following her demise.
The ministry said that a three-member committee has been constituted to look into the allegations levelled against the officials. The committee will be submitting its report within 15 days.
Jolly Madhu, who had been with the Coir Board for over 30 years, was in a critical condition and undergoing treatment at a private hospital when she passed away. Her family claims she faced harassment from senior officials, especially Chairman Vipul Goel, allegedly after she refused to sign documents which she suspected were linked to corruption.
“Shukla is angry at me as I did not agree to his corruption advances,” Jolly reportedly said in a phone conversation with a relative, referring to Jitendra Shukla, Secretary-in-charge of the Board. She had also named Vipul Goel, Joint Secretary of the MSME Department and Chairman of the Coir Board, in the allegations.
Jolly had expressed fear for her safety in a letter she wrote prior to her death. “Sir, I am scared and have no courage to speak to our honourable chairman. So I couldn’t. My case is a clear harassment of women at the workplace. It is a threat to my health and life. So I beg your mercy. Please go through my grievances once again and help me to survive some more time,” the letter reads. Before completing the letter, she collapsed and was rushed to the hospital. Jolly was also a cancer survivor.
Her family claims that her refusal to sign the documents led to her being denied a promotion and transferred to Hyderabad. “They stopped her promotion and tried to move her to Hyderabad because she refused to be complicit in corruption,” her brother Lalichan told the media. He also noted that Jolly was subjected to extreme workplace stress despite her medical history.
However, Coir Board Chairman Vipul Goel has denied the allegations. In a press note, he stated that Jolly’s transfer was an administrative decision but was later revoked due to her medical condition. “The allegations leveled against the Coir Board officials are baseless… Jolly Madhu was transferred to the Regional Office in Rajahmundry due to administrative exigencies. Due to her medical conditions which came to notice recently, her leave and leave salary were sanctioned, and her transfer order was also canceled. If any issues are identified within the Board, appropriate corrective measures will be taken,” his statement read.