On published a report based on Sheetal’s complaint. The report highlighted Sheetal’s allegations against the cafe owner and a serving female constable of the Delhi Police. Sheetal made several allegations, including withholding of salary, caste-based harassment, and alleged use of police influence.
New Delhi: The case of a Dalit woman cook in the Moti Nagar area of the capital, who was not paid her pending salary after complaining about the poor quality of food at a restaurant, and the cafe owner filing a police case against her, accusing her of theft, has been resolved.
After published a report on the complaint and allegations made by Dalit woman cook Sheetal Singh, swift action was taken in the matter. According to Sheetal, a written agreement was reached between the two parties in the presence of police at the Moti Nagar police station on the evening of September 14. The cafe paid her pending salary, while the cafe owner gave written consent to withdraw the theft complaint against Sheetal. Sheetal has also withdrawn her complaint.
Sheetal informed The Mooknayak of the entire incident. According to her, both parties have now agreed in writing that they will not pursue any further legal action or complaints against each other. This immediate resolution was possible only because of The Mooknayak’s prompt reporting and support.
Sheetal stated that the immediate resolution of the matter was possible after the report was published and the incident was made public. She expressed gratitude to The Mooknayak, saying that the report helped her voice her concerns.
Reported being called to the police station in the morning, but events changed after the report was published.
Previously, Sheetal had told The Mooknayak that she was receiving repeated phone calls asking her to come to the police station in connection with a theft case. She claimed that she was demanding her pending salary, and that theft charges were filed against her.
The Mooknayak had published a report based on Sheetal’s complaint in this same case. The report highlighted Sheetal’s allegations against the cafe owner and a serving female constable of the Delhi Police. Sheetal had made several allegations, including withholding of salary, caste-based harassment, and alleged use of influence by her police position.
After the report was published, Sheetal stated that the case was closed with the consent of both parties in the presence of an SI at the Moti Nagar police station.
According to Sheetal, the police took written statements from both parties. These statements stated that the outstanding amount of ₹17,741 had been paid and the dispute had been resolved.
Sheetal told The Mooknayak that the cafe owner had agreed in writing to withdraw the theft complaint and settle the matter through a compromise. Following this settlement at the police station, both parties agreed not to file any further complaints or take any legal action against each other.
Sheetal stated that she believes no proceedings are pending from either side. While providing details of the incident, Sheetal also mentioned that during the proceedings, a person from the local Dalit community had also reached the police station to intervene. According to Sheetal, when asked for CCTV footage from the cafe to verify the claims of theft and alleged cash payments, the management stated that the cameras were not working.
Sheetal’s original complaint alleged that she worked at the cafe for a monthly salary of ₹22,000, withheld wages, caste discrimination, and alleged intimidation. The complaint also stated that after she demanded her salary, the cafe owner filed a complaint against her for stealing pulses, oil, and coffee pouches.
Following the settlement, Sheetal told The Mooknayak that the immediate resolution of the case was possible after the publication of the report and the publicity of the matter. She expressed gratitude to The Mooknayak, saying that the report helped her voice her voice.
Sheetal also said that her experience made her realize that workers from the Scheduled Caste community, even those with weaker economic backgrounds, can face pressure and police complaints for demanding their wages.
What was the whole controversy?
Sheetal Singh, a Scheduled Caste woman cook working at Vidhi Cafe in Moti Nagar, Delhi, made serious allegations against the cafe’s owner, Vijay Singh, and Divya, a female constable with the Delhi Police. According to Sheetal, she was hired as the head cook at a monthly salary of ₹22,000 and had objected to the alleged use of spoiled/stale food and palm oil in the cafe. She alleged that after her caste was revealed, her treatment changed, and she was forced to perform tasks such as sweeping, deep cleaning, and washing dirty utensils late into the night, in addition to cooking.
Sheetal also alleged that her ₹22,000 salary was withheld, and when she quit her job to demand her dues, a complaint was filed against her for stealing pulses, oil, and coffee sachets, even though she was challenging her claim of alleged cash payment. She accused female constable Divya of being associated with the cafe and using her police position to threaten her. Sheetal demanded action, security, and payment of her pending salary from the police and administration.
After the incident was published in The Mooknayak, according to Sheetal, the police brokered a settlement between the two parties at the Moti Nagar police station. She stated that the pending salary of ₹17,741 was paid, the cafe management confirmed in writing that they had withdrawn the theft complaint, and both parties gave written undertakings not to take any further legal action against each other. Sheetal also stated that she had previously received repeated calls to come to the police station regarding the theft, but after the news was published, the dispute was resolved that same day in the presence of the SI. She also raised questions about the CCTV footage, stating that when she asked for CCTV footage to verify the alleged theft and cash payments, the management claimed the cameras were out of order. All these allegations and events are based on Sheetal’s statement and the documents she provided.
Geetha Sunil Pillai
Courtesy: Hindi News