Friday, 23 November 2018

#MeToo impact: Sotheby’s India MD Gaurav Bhatia goes on leave

Sotheby’s is slated to conduct its maiden art auction in India next week. Photo: Bloomberg

#MeToo impact: Sotheby’s India MD Gaurav Bhatia goes on leave

1 min read . Updated: 23 Nov 2018, 07:53 PM IST
PTI

According to complaints posted on Instagram, Bhatia touched the 'victims' inappropriately and forcibly tried to kiss them

Mumbai: Sotheby’s India managing director Gaurav Bhatia has proceeded on leave after a series of sexual harassment allegations against him on social media.

A statement by the auction house on Friday said Bhatia had taken a “leave of absence" pending a probe into the allegations. “In light of recent anonymous allegations that have surfaced on social media, Gaurav Bhatia has agreed to take a leave of absence while a formal inquiry continues."

“Harassment of any type has no place at Sotheby’s and we will thoroughly investigate these allegations with Gaurav’s full cooperation," the statement said.

According to complaints posted on Instagram, Bhatia touched the ‘victims’ inappropriately and forcibly tried to kiss them.

Bhatia, who has been with Sotheby’s since 2016, has worked with luxury brand LVMH for over a decade before joining the auction house.

The development comes at a crucial time for Sotheby’s, which is slated to conduct its maiden art auction next week. According to the company website, Bhatia heads the south Asia operation and calls him the “driving force" behind the inaugural auction in Mumbai.

The company said in a statement its employees under the leadership of Edward Gibbs, the chairman for West Asia and India, and Yamini Mehta, international head of Indian and South Asian Art, were “fully focused" on the auction.

Also read: Binny Bansal’s Flipkart exit puts Corporate India on notice

Also read: #MeToo: Tata ends ties with Suhel Seth after sexual misconduct allegations

Also read: What happens when #MeToo goes to court

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.

Topics

#MeToo: Sotheby’s India Managing Director Gaurav Bhatia goes on leave after harassment allegations

Sexual Harassment

The auction house said a formal inquiry is under way with Bhatia’s full cooperation.

#MeToo: Sotheby’s India Managing Director Gaurav Bhatia goes on leave after harassment allegations — Gaurav Bhatia/Facebook

Auction house Sotheby’s India said its Managing Director Gaurav Bhatia has taken a leave of absence pending an inquiry after allegations of sexual harassment surfaced on social media, reported The Hindu on Friday.

“In light of recent anonymous allegations that have surfaced on social media, Gaurav Bhatia has agreed to take a leave of absence while a formal inquiry continues,” Sotheby’s India said in a statement on Thursday. “Harassment of any type has no place at Sotheby’s and we will thoroughly investigate these allegations with Gaurav’s full cooperation.”

At least four people have shared accounts of Bhatia’s sexual harassment and in one case, physical assault. The allegations include inappropriate touching and forcibly trying to kiss someone. The allegations were shared anonymously on the Instagram account ‘Scene and Herd’.

The announcement by Sotheby’s comes less than a week ahead of the Sotheby’s inaugural auction in Mumbai on November 29. Bhatia was described as the “driving force” behind the launch of the inaugural auction.

According to Mumbai Mirror, Bhatia has appointed a legal counsel.

Others in the art world that have been accused of sexual misconduct and harassment include photographer Shahid Datawala, artist and sculptor Jatin Das, and artist Riyas Komu.

#MeToo in India

Since October 5, dozens of women have taken to social media to give detailed accounts of the sexual harassment and misconduct they have faced across several sectors such as advertising, Tamil and Hindi film industries, the field of arts, music and dance, publishing, journalism, sports, religion and non-profit organisations.

Support our journalism by subscribing to Scroll+ here. We welcome your comments at letters@scroll.in.

Sotheby’s MD Gaurav Bhatia under the #MeToo scanner

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

NOVEMBER 23, 2018 10:49 IST

UPDATED: NOVEMBER 23, 2018 10:51 IST

Gaurav Bhatia at his residence in Worli, Mumbai | Photo Credit: Emmanual Yogini

Mr Bhatia, the Managing Director of Sotheby’s India, has proceeded on leave owing to a series of sexual conduct allegations against him

Owing to a series of anonymous complaints on social media against Sotheby’s India Managing Director, Gaurav Bhatia, he has proceeded on leave, said a statement from the auction house.
“In light of recent anonymous allegations that have surfaced on social media, Gaurav Bhatia has agreed to take a leave of absence while a formal inquiry continues. Harassment of any type has no place at Sotheby’s and we will thoroughly investigate these allegations with Gaurav’s full cooperation,” said the statement.
The auction house’s much anticipated India sale next week on November 29 will be supervised now under the leadership of Edward Gibbs, Chairman, Middle East and India, and Yamini Mehta, International Head of Indian and South Asian Art.
The allegations against Mr Bhatia of sexual misconduct and have been reported by the Instagram account, Scene and Heard that’s been tracking complaints that fall under the aegis of the #MeToo movement.

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Sotheby India's managing director Gaurav Bhatia sent on leave following accusations of sexual misconduct

India FP Staff Nov 23, 2018 09:57:05 IST

Following four anonymous allegations of sexual misconduct against Sotheby's managing director for India, Gaurav Bhatia, the British auction house has sent him on leave pending an inquiry into the complaints, according to a Mumbai Mirror report.

The accusations that have surfaced over the course of the last ten days on Instagram and range from inappropriate touches to forcible kissing to physical assault. Two of the four complainants are male, the Mirror report said. The report also stated that Bhatia has now appointed legal counsel.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Scene and Herd (@herdsceneand) on Nov 16, 2018 at 3:53am PST

This incident has occurred ahead of the well-known London based auction house's inaugural auction in Mumbai, Boundless: India. In the wake of the sexual harassment allegations, Sotheby issued a statement on 22 November stating that “In light of recent anonymous allegations that have surfaced on social media, Gaurav Bhatia has agreed to take leave of absence while a formal inquiry continues. Harassment of any type has no place at Sotheby’s and we will thoroughly investigate these allegations with Gaurav’s full cooperation. Our colleagues, under the leadership of Edward Gibbs, chairman, Middle East & India, and Yamini Mehta, International Head of Indian and South Asian Art, are focused on Sotheby’s forthcoming auction.”

Several victims have come forward and shared their accounts of alleged sexual harassment over the last two months in what is being referred to as the second wave of the #MeToo movement in India.

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Updated Date: Nov 23, 2018 09:57:05 IST

Tags : FWeekend, Gaurav Bhatia, London, MeToo, MeTooinIndia, Sexual Harassment, Sexual Misconduct, Sotheby's, Sotheby's India

#MeToo Impact: Sotheby’s India MD Gaurav Bhatia Goes on Leave

According to complaints posted on Instagram, Bhatia touched the ‘victims’ inappropriately and forcibly tried to kiss them.

Southeby managing editor Gaurav Bhatia. Credit: Southeby

PTI

23/NOV/2018

Mumbai: Sotheby’s India managing director Gaurav Bhatia has proceeded on leave after a series of sexual harassment allegations against him on social media.

A statement by the auction house on Friday said Bhatia had taken a “leave of absence” pending a probe into the allegations. “In light of recent anonymous allegations that have surfaced on social media, Gaurav Bhatia has agreed to take a leave of absence while a formal inquiry continues.”
“Harassment of any type has no place at Sotheby’s and we will thoroughly investigate these allegations with Gaurav’s full cooperation,” the statement said.

Also read: Flipkart’s Binny Bansal Resigns After Probe Into Allegation of “Serious Personal Misconduct”

According to complaints posted on Instagram, Bhatia touched the ‘victims’ inappropriately and forcibly tried to kiss them.

Bhatia, who has been with Sotheby’s since 2016, has worked with luxury brand LVMH for over a decade before joining the auction house.

The development comes at a crucial time for Sotheby’s, which is slated to conduct its maiden art auction next week. According to the company website, Bhatia heads the south Asia operation and calls him the “driving force” behind the inaugural auction in Mumbai.

The company said in a statement its employees under the leadership of Edward Gibbs, the chairman for West Asia and India, and Yamini Mehta, international head of Indian and South Asian Art, were “fully focused” on the auction.

Friday, 13 July 2018

2 Cars, 5 Lawn Chairs, 1 Grill Stolen; Battery Arrests: Blotter

Evanston Police Department incident and arrest reports from June 27 - July 9

By Jonah Meadows, Patch Staff

Jul 10, 2018 8:20 am CT | Updated Jul 13, 2018 5:46 am CT

2 Cars, 5 Lawn Chairs, 1 Grill Stolen; Battery Arrests: Blotter

EVANSTON, IL — The following information comes from the Evanston Police Department as a record of those arrested by police and incidents reported to police. Readers are reminded that an arrest is not an indication of guilt and criminal charges, which represent merely accusations by the state, are often dropped or reduced. Updated information may be available from the Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court. All persons named are innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

INCIDENTS

CAR BURGLARY

Someone stole cash from an unlocked car parked a driveway in the 1300 block of Main Street between 4:45 p.m. on June 26 and 7:45 a.m. on June 27.

HOME BURGLARY

Someone pried open a door and broke into an apartment in the 300 block of Callan Avenue between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on June 28.

THEFT

Someone stole a black and blue Trek bicycle that was locked to a bike rack in the 600 block of Linden Place sometime between June 24 and June 29.

SHOPLIFTING

Someone stole a 24-pack of Modelo beer and liquor from a pharmacy in the 600 block of Chicago Avenue shortly after 10 a.m. on June 29.

STOLEN CAR

Someone stole a black Volvo with a key left inside that was parked on the street in the 500 block of Custer Avenue between 10 p.m. on June 27 and 4:30 a.m. on June 29.

CAR BURGLARY

Someone stole a wallet with credit and debit cards from an unlocked Audi in an apartment parking lot in the 600 block of Sheridan Road sometime between midnight and 7:50 a.m. on July 1.

THEFT OF LOST OR UNATTENDED ITEMS

Someone stole a white iPhone and accessories that had been left unattended at a medical office in the 300 block of Ridge Avenue between 9 and 11 a.m. on June 29.

THEFT

Someone stole a wallet and a bag from inside a purse around 12:45 p.m. on July 2 at a gym in the 1600 block of Oak Avenue.

THEFT

Someone stole an unattended red and orange Isla bicycle from the yard of a single-family home in the 2300 block of Cowper Avenue between 2:30 and 4:14 p.m. on July 2.

THEFT

Between 6:15 a.m. on July 1 and 8 a.m. on July 2, someone stole five folding chairs that had been left unattended on the sidewalk of the 2500 block of Central Street ahead of the Independence Day parade.

CRIMINAL DAMAGE

Someone broke a window to an apartment in the 2100 block of Church Street around 10:44 a.m. on July 2.

THEFT

The registration sticker and miscellaneous parts were stolen from a Lexus parked at a salvage yard in the 2500 block Oakton Street sometime between 11:55 a.m. and 12:10 p.m. on July 3.

CAR BURGLARY

Someone stole a purse and wallet from an unlocked car in the 700 block of South Boulevard between 3 and 9 a.m. on July 4.

GARAGE BURGLARY

Someone stole a women's cruiser bicycle a garage with its door left open in the 600 block of Oakton Street sometime between 9:50 and 11 a.m. on July 4.

SHOPLIFTING

Someone stole alcohol from a pharmacy in the 600 block of Chicago Avenue around 7:48 p.m. on July 4.

CRIMINAL DAMAGE

A resident in the 1600 block of Dempster Street reported small holes in their garage that appeared to come from a BB gun and were believed to have been made between 5 p.m. on July 3 and 4:16 p.m. on July 4.

CRIMINAL DAMAGE

Someone broke a living room window of a single-family home in the 2100 block of Dewey Avenue around 12:43 a.m. on July 4.

DUMPSTER FIRE

Someone set fire to dumpster in an alley in the 2000 block of Dewey Avenue shortly around 11:56 p.m. on July 4.

THEFT

Someone stole a black Kyocera Kona cellphone that had been left unattended at a house of worship in the 1500 block of Ridge Avenue sometime between 6:30 and 10:30 a.m. on July 4.

THEFT OF VEHICLE PARTS

Someone stole a rear tire from a car parked in the parking spaces of an apartment in the 1100 block of Hartrey Avenue between 4:30 p.m. on July 4 and 7 a.m. on July 5.

SHOPLIFTING

Someone stole liquor from a pharmacy in the 600 block of Chicago Avenue around 8:05 a.m. on July 8.

CAR BURGLARY

Someone stole an iPhone 8 from a vehicle parked in the 800 block of Madison Street between 1:30 a.m. and 12:50 p.m. on July 8. It was not known if the car was locked.

BURGLARY

Someone broke into the storage area of an apartment in the 600 block of Forest Avenue around 1 p.m. on July 7 and stole a blue Raleigh mountain bike.

STOLEN CAR

Someone stole a silver Toyota that had been parked in the street near the intersection of Hamilton Street and Forest Avenue between 9 and 10:46 a.m. on July 8. It was not known whether it was locked.

CAR BURGLARY

Someone stole glasses and a laptop computer from a car parked in a residential driveway in the 1100 block of Asbury Road sometime during the overnight hours of July 5 to 6.

STOLEN CAR

Someone stole a Volkswagon between 6:15 and 8 a.m. on July 6 while it was parked on the street in the 600 block of Brummel Street. It was not known whether the car was locked or contained a key.

SHOPLIFTING

Someone stole food from a discount store in the 1900 block of Dempster Street around 3:15 p.m. on July 6.

THEFT

Someone stole a grill from a yard of a single-family home in the 900 block of Grey Avenue between 4:55 and 7:07 p.m. on July 6.

ROBBERY

Ice cream and $250 were reported stolen in a robbery around 8:20 p.m. on July 6 near the intersection of Greenwood Street and Pitner Avenue. A man operating an ice cream bicycle in the area reported being approached by a group of six young men. They beat him around the head and he suffered minor lacerations.

CRIMINAL DAMAGE

Someone broke the driver's side window of a car parked in the 1500 block of Wesley Avenue between 5 p.m. on July 6 and 11:17 a.m. on July 7.

RECKLESS CONDUCT

Someone broke a living room window of a single-family home in the 1800 block of Foster Street between 4 and 4:30 a.m. on July 7.

CAR BURGLARY

Someone stole a purse and its contents from an unlocked car parked in the 1800 block of Sheridan Road between 4 and 7:35 p.m. on July 8.

ARRESTS/CITATIONS

Jeilin M. Harris-Thomas, 19, of the 1400 block of Brown Avenue in Evanston, was arrested at 2:32 p.m. on June 27 in the 1400 block of Noyes St by police who followed him after he got into a ride-hailing vehicle. He was charged with one felony count of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and two misdemeanor counts of possession of a gun without a valid firearm owners' identification card. Read more...

Malik A. Brewer, 23, of the 7500 block of North Sheridan Road in Chicago, was arrested at 2:51 a.m. on June 28 in the 500 block of Sheridan Road in Evanston and charged with unlawful use of a weapon. Read more...

Brian W. Rowlett, 43, of the 1400 block of West Estes Avenue in Chicago, was charged with burglary at 8:35 a.m. on June 28. He was already in custody at the Cook County Jail when results of DNA analysis indicated he committed a burglary of an Evanston senior care company. Read more...

Quinn M. Cahill, 20, of the 1200 block of Lee Street in Evanston, was arrested at 10:48 a.m. on June 28 at the Evanston Police Department and charged with aggravated assault.

Magdy M. Mohamed, 34, of the 800 block of Mulford Street in Evanston, was arrested at his home at 2:14 a.m. on June 29 and charged with a violation of an active order of protection.

Elizabeth P. Murray, 27, of the 4500 block of North Rockwell Street in Chicago, was arrested at 1:44 a.m. on June 29 and charged with driving under the influence following a traffic stop near the intersection of Washington Street and Ridge Avenue.

Samuel J. Ardito, 36, of the 1100 block of Grove Street in Evanston, was arrested at his home at 8:26 p.m. on July 1 and charged with domestic battery.

Rostelle R. Reese, 34, of the 4200 block of South Vincennes Avenue in Chicago, was arrested at 2:27 a.m. on July 2 in the 1100 block of Austin Street and charged with driving under the influence.

Elijah T. Laden, 22, of the 1900 block of Darrow Avenue in Evanston, was arrested at his home at 4:30 a.m. on July 2 and charged with domestic battery.

Rakeem Oliphant-Guerrier, 23, of the 3500 block of West North Avenue in Chicago, was arrested at 6:42 p.m. on July 2 in the 1700 block of Sherman Avenue and charged with assault.

William D. Thomas, 37, of the 4800 block of Greenleaf Street, was arrested at 2:10 a.m. on July 3 in the 2100 block of Emerson Street and charged with domestic battery.

Ray P. Smith, 34, of the 200 block of Ridge Avenue was arrested at his home at 2:35 a.m. on July 3 and charged with criminal damage to property.

Stefaene Ann R. Burks, 25, of the 10100 block of Holly Lane in Des Plaines, was arrested at 11:30 p.m. on July 3 in the 1900 block of Jackson Avenue and charged with domestic battery.

Hannah C. Moor, 27, of the 1000 block of Fowler Avenue in Evanston, was arrested at 8:34 p.m. on July 3 at her home and charged with assault.

Deangelo T. Horton, 41, of the 2300 block of Noyes Court in Evanston, was arrested at 4:45 p.m. on July 4 at his home and charged with aggravated battery. He was held at Cook County Jail in lieu of the $5,000 cash portion of his bond.

Marcus L. Printus, 34, of the 2000 block of Oakton Street in Evanston, was arrested at 12:20 a.m. on July 5 near the intersection of Greenwood Street and Dodge Avenue and charged with criminal damage to property.

Benjamin R. Cavil, 41, of the 500 block of Sheridan Road in Evanston, was arrested at 2:49 p.m. on July 5 at his home and charged with domestic battery.

Abran D. Keranen, 43, of the 800 block of Hinman Avenue in Evanston was arrested at 4:19 p.m. on July 5 at the Evanston Police Department and charged with violating an active order of protection.

William J. Kelly, 52, of the 7400 block of North Clark Street in Chicago, was arrested at 4:25 p.m. on July 5 in the 100 block of Asbury Avenue and charged with criminal trespassing on CVS property.

Steven J. Schwind, 34, who is homeless, was arrested at 1:15 p.m. on July 6 and charged with two counts of aggravated battery to police and one of resisting arrest. He was held at Cook County Jail in lieu of the $2,000 cash portion of his bond.

Donald E. Hall, 25, of the 1200 block of West 82nd Street in Chicago, was arrested at 2:28 p.m. on July 6 in the 7600 block of North Paulina Avenue and charged with possession of a controlled substance.

Michael J. Yerington, 21, of the 100 block of 17th Avenue in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, was arrested at 5:27 a.m. on July 7 near the intersection of Foster Street and Orrington Avenue and charged with domestic battery.

Richard A. Crawford, 53, of the 900 block of Maple Avenue in Evanston, was arrested at 7:11 p.m. on July 7 in the 1600 block of Chicago Avenue and charged with retail theft.

Keyma D. Morris, 34, of the 1300 block of West Estes in Chicago, was arrested at 5:43 p.m. on July 8 in the 2200 block of Howard Street and charged with retail theft.

Last month: Gunfire On Emerson; Arrests For Home Burglary, Battery: Evanston Police Department Blotter, June 20 - June 26. Stay Patched In!

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Submit information to police about any of the above incidents or another subject via the text-a-tip messaging system by texting EPDTIP followed by the tip information to 274637 (CRIMES) or submit your tip online in English, Spanish or French.

Editor's note: Driver's license offenses, ordinance violations and certain incidents not included. Top photo via Patch file, Jonah Meadows

Sunday, 24 June 2018

Mumbai Crime: Former HR Executive Arrested For Sexual Harassment Of Employee

Jun 24, 2018, 12:08 IST | Hajra Bi

He was accused of sexual harassment by former employee

Mumbai Crime: Former HR executive arrested for sexual harassment of employee

Representational Image

Niramay Satpute, former vice-president, human resources, WorkStore Ltd, a multi-national stationery firm, was arrested on Friday by Vanrai Police in a case of sexual harassment at the workplace.

He was released on bail later. Senior inspector of Vanrai Police Station Jyotsna Rasam confirmed the news. Last month, a 33-year-old former senior manager at the company had accused Satpute of sexually harassing her, and later, not taking cognisance of her complaint about the toxic work environment.

A complaint against Satpute under IPC section 354D and relevant IT Act sections was registered at Borivli Police Station, from where it got transferred to Vanrai police. The woman’s advocate Ajinkya Pokharkar said, “Satpute had applied for anticipatory bail in Dindoshi Court. As part of procedure, the police arrested him. Later, the court released him on a bail of Rs 15,000. We are waiting for the charge sheet to be filed and shall strategise further action accordingly.”

mid-day tried contacting WorkStore but our calls went unanswered. A source from the company revealed that an internal inquiry was done, following which Satpute was asked to leave the company. Speaking on the matter, the woman said, “I am just happy that he was arrested. This has been a nightmare. I was too alone, too scared and too little against a giant organisation. This has reinstated my faith in the judiciary.”

Catch up on all the latest Mumbai news, crime news, current affairs, and also a complete guide on Mumbai from food to things to do and events across the city here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOSapps to get latest updates