A disturbing video showing employees of a private marketing firm in Kochi, Kerala, being subjected to degrading treatment has triggered widespread outrage, forcing the Kerala Labour Department, state police, and the Kerala State Human Rights Commission to launch investigations into the incident.

Shocking Visuals Emerge

The viral videos depict horrifying scenes. In one, a man is seen crawling on the floor with a leash tied around his neck, being led like a dog. Another clip shows employees undressing under alleged instructions, igniting a storm of criticism on social media and across civil society. The inhumane treatment has been widely condemned and labelled a gross violation of employee rights and workplace ethics.

Kerala Labour Minister's Response

Kerala Labour Minister V Sivankutty took swift notice of the video and termed it "shocking and disturbing", confirming that a formal investigation was already underway.

“I have ordered a probe into the incident and instructed the district Labour officer to submit a report,” he said, as per PTI.

This move underscores the state government's seriousness in addressing the allegations of workplace harassment and potential human rights violations.

Multiple Versions of the Incident Surface

As the video made rounds, conflicting narratives about the event began to emerge. While many viewers and rights activists saw the footage as a blatant case of workplace abuse, a section of employees claimed the video was manipulated and released with malicious intent.

According to The Week, some employees denied claims of harassment, stating the videos were recorded months ago by a former manager named Manaf, who has since left the firm. Manaf allegedly recorded the clips under the guise of “training exercises” and was later terminated due to misconduct, including personal animosity toward a senior manager named Ubail.

Employees Defend the Firm

In a statement to Manorama Online, one employee seen in the video claimed that the actions were not intended to humiliate or harass but were instigated by Manaf, who had a personal grudge.

“Manaf instructed me to hold the leash. I reported the incident to senior manager Ubail after he returned from leave. An internal enquiry followed, and Manaf was dismissed,” the employee revealed.

This contradicts the public outrage and raises questions about intent, consent, and context—although human rights bodies argue that such acts can never be justified in a professional setting, regardless of intent.

Human Rights Commission Intervenes

Kerala State Human Rights Commission (KSHRC) swiftly registered a case following a complaint by Kerala High Court advocate Kulathoor Jaisingh.

Commission Chairman M Shajar asserted: “Legal action should be taken against such practices that were unacceptable in a civilised and democratic society.”

The commission has demanded swift justice and clarity in a case that may represent a larger problem of toxic workplace culture and power abuse in certain corporate environments.

Police Yet to Register FIR

Station House Officer (SHO) Rajesh M K, who is leading the local investigation, stated to Economic Times that the police were informed that the video was recorded as a part of a training module and that no formal complaint had been filed yet, which is why an FIR has not been registered.

“We were told that this was done as part of a training. We have not registered a case yet since no complaint has been filed,” he said.

However, given the video’s graphic nature and the gravity of the allegations, it’s expected that an FIR may be registered soon, especially under public pressure and following the Human Rights Commission's involvement.

The Person in the Video Speaks Out

The man seen in the viral video being led on a leash has come forward to deny allegations of abuse. Speaking to the media, he said:

“I am still working in the firm. These visuals were from some months ago and were forcefully taken by a person who was the manager then. He was later asked to quit and is now using the footage to tarnish the company.”

This adds another layer of complexity, as it raises doubts about consent, retaliation, and motives. Nevertheless, critics argue that such actions are inherently degrading, regardless of whether they were staged or meant as a joke or training.

Previous Controversy Involving Firm Owner

Reports have also surfaced that the owner of the firm had previously been arrested in an unrelated sexual assault case. This has added fuel to the controversy and raised further questions about the work culture within the organisation.

It also reflects on the need for stricter corporate oversight, workplace audits, and employee welfare checks, especially in private marketing and sales firms, where power dynamics can often lead to exploitative practices.

Larger Implications and Next Steps

The incident has sparked a wider conversation about the rights of employees, the psychological and emotional boundaries in corporate training, and what constitutes acceptable behaviour at the workplace.

• Labour officials are expected to file a detailed report within the coming days.

• Legal experts are urging for stricter laws on psychological abuse at workplaces.

• Calls for transparency and justice are growing louder, especially on social media, where the footage has gone viral with hashtags like #KeralaOfficeAbuse and #CorporateHarassment.

Conclusion

This incident from Kochi is not just about one firm or one video—it highlights the larger need to address and eliminate exploitative, toxic, and humiliating practices in corporate work environments. The responses from the Labour Department, Human Rights Commission, and police are encouraging, but the real accountability will only come through transparent investigations, legal action, and corporate reforms.

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