Private firm V-P arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting 24-year-old intern

The accused was known to the victim’s family for more than three decades and was regarded by her as a trusted, fatherly figure, according to the complaint.

A 24-year-old woman pursuing a post graduate diploma in management in Bengaluru has accused the vice-president of a private company of sexually assaulting her at his residence after allegedly taking advantage of his position as a senior executive and the long-standing friendship he shared with her father. He has been arrested and remanded in judicial custody.

The accused, Riju Mathew, was known to the victim’s family for more than three decades and was regarded by her as a trusted, fatherly figure, according to the complaint. The woman, who was doing an internship at the company’s Bengaluru office as part of her academic curriculum, alleged that the incident took place between the night of June 26 and the morning of June 27, at the accused’s residence in Shanthinagar.

According to the complaint, the victim had joined the company for a two-month unpaid internship on May 4. There were four interns in the batch, including two of her friends who had also joined following her father’s recommendation to the accused.

On June 25, the accused allegedly scheduled a meeting with her and another intern to discuss the internship reporting format. The following day, when she contacted him to collect some personal belongings her father had left at his residence, he reportedly told her that he was unavailable on Saturday and suggested that she visit him that evening instead. He also reportedly proposed discussing the internship report during the meeting. The woman reached his residence around 9.30 p.m. with printouts of the reports.

After they completed the work, around 11.30 p.m., she said she attempted to leave, but the accused persuaded her that he would drop her as it was late. She alleged that the accused repeatedly persuaded her to consume food and a soft drink despite her initial refusal. Shortly afterwards, she experienced unusual drowsiness and weakness, she alleged. The accused, despite her resistance, allegedly took her to a bedroom and sexually assaulted her. She managed to resist him, locked herself in a room and remained there until morning, she said.

When she attempted to leave, she allegedly found the door locked. She further accused him of threatening to tarnish her and her family’s reputation and snatching her mobile phone. After repeatedly pleading with him, she was eventually dropped back at her hostel, she said.

The complainant further stated that the accused sent her an apology message on July 13. Following the incident, she suffered severe emotional distress and was unable to continue her internship. The woman stated that she subsequently lodged a complaint with the company on September 23, and decided to approach the police after receiving support from her family.

Based on her complaint, the Ashok Nagar police registered an FIR for sexual harassment and assault or use of criminal force against a woman with intent to outrage her modesty under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and arrested the accused.