Former Jindal Steel CEO Dinesh Kumar Saraogi Accused of Molesting Ananya Chhaochharia on Etihad Flight
Ananya Chhaochharia, who heads “Paint it Red,” a group focused on menstruation and women’s rights, shared a shocking incident on her Twitter page.
Ananya discussed being groped and molested on her flight from Kolkata to Abu Dhabi.
She tagged Jindal Steel founder Naveen Jindal in the post to make him aware of the situation, as the man (Dinesh Kumar Saraogi) who harassed her turns out to have close connections with the company.
Jindal Steel Ex-CEO Dinesh Kumar Saraogi Accused of Molesting Ananya Chhaochharia
Ananya began the thread with,
“Sharing an incident that happened with me on the flight from Kolkata to Abu Dhabi (transit to Boston). I am very grateful to the staff of @__Etihad and the Abu Dhabi police for the support they provided me. TW: Sexual Assault,” and continued to explain everything that happened.
“I was seated next to an industrialist (Dinesh Kr. Saraogi, CEO of Jindal Steel) He must be roughly 65 in age & told me he now lives in Oman but travels frequently. He started chatting me up – very normal conversation about our roots, family etc He is from Churu in Rajasthan…”
“& both sons are married & settled in the US etc. The conversation moved to what my hobbies are. He asked if I enjoy watching movies & I was like of course. He then proceeds to tell me he has some movie clips on his phone. He whips out his phone and earphones to show me PORN!”
“He started groping me. I was frozen in shock and scare. I eventually ran off to the washroom and complained to the air staff. Thankfully the Etihad team was very pro-active and took action immediately. They made me sit at their seating area and served me tea & fruits.”
“He kept calling them to ask where I had gone. The staff also informed the cops at Abu Dhabi who were waiting as soon the gates of the aircraft opened. I could not proceed with a complaint because I would have missed my connecting flight to Boston.”
“I was escorted to the next gate to ensure he does not come near me. He also did not deny this when the cops asked him questions. I am sharing this because I want to remind everyone that something like this can happen to anyone.”
“I am working to get this incident out to the founder of Jindal Steel @MPNaveenJindal so that he is aware of the kind of people who are in leadership. I am also afraid of how this molestor must be treating his female employees from a place of power.”
“P.S I am fine, a little rattled and disturbed. I feel violated but I also want to make sure this never happens to another woman.”
“Thank you @etihad (I seemed to have tagged your wrong account). I am forever grateful to your 2 crew members on flight EY 257 on 16th July from CCU to AUH, who shielded me and stood by through this ordeal.”
Ananya said that the man, Saraogi, who is around 65 years old, sat beside her during the flight and started talking to her. After a while, Saraogi showed Ananya pornographic content on his phone and groped her, and touched her inappropriately. Feeling scared and helpless, Ananya quickly informed the crew, and they took necessary action against Saraogi, providing her with a safe place to calm down.
Ananya added that was unable to file a formal complaint against the situation because, after landing, she had a connecting flight to catch.
However, the crew informed the Abu Dhabi police immediately, and action was taken against the man in question.
Jindal Steel founder and Lok Sabha MP Naveen Jindal reacting to the allegations replied,
“Dear Ananya, thank you for reaching out and speaking up! It takes a lot of courage to do what you did and I want you to know that we have a zero tolerance policy for such matters. I have asked the team to immediately investigate the matter and thereafter strictest and necessary action will be taken.”
After this accusation was made, Jindal Steel clarified that Dinesh Kumar Saraogi resigned from his position as Director at Jinda Steel on March 28, 2023.
However, Saraogi currently works with Vulcan Green Steel in Oman, which is also a part of the Jindal Steel Group.
Jindal Steel stating that they have strict policies against molestation and assault within the company informed that the “Executive has been placed on administrative leave.” They further assured that an independent and credible third party has been appointed to lead the impartial investigation.
