Kerala IT firm CEO, who accused ex-employee of extortion, faces sexual harassment complaint from her
Kochi, August 7, 2025 — A high-profile legal drama has emerged in Kerala’s IT sector. The CEO of Litmus7 Systems Consulting Pvt. Ltd., based in Kochi’s Infopark, now faces serious sexual harassment charges from a former employee. This development follows his earlier accusation that she and her husband tried to extort ₹30 crore from him.
The CEO, Venu Gopalakrishnan, had claimed the couple threatened to falsely implicate him in a rape case unless he paid them a large sum. The police arrested the two, and they were later released on bail.
Now, in a sharp turn, the same woman has filed a sexual harassment complaint against Gopalakrishnan and three senior employees: Jacob P Thampy, Eby Paul, and Bimalraj Haridas.
Harassment Allegations Surface After Bail
The woman alleges that the harassment began in February 2024 and continued until July 2025, during her time at the company. She has accused the four men of inappropriate remarks, physical advances, and threats to her job security.
The complaint includes charges under sections 354 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code. These cover assault on a woman with intent to outrage her modesty and criminal intimidation.
After filing the FIR, the woman said she remained silent for months due to fear of losing her job. She also claimed the company discouraged complaints by warning of legal action and character defamation.
Legal Battle Intensifies
Following the complaint, the four accused moved the Kerala High Court seeking anticipatory bail. The court granted temporary protection from arrest to the three senior employees and scheduled the next hearing for August 13, 2025. However, Gopalakrishnan did not receive any relief yet.
The woman’s legal counsel said she showed great courage by coming forward. “She feared retaliation and personal attacks but still chose to speak up. This is a clear case of abuse of power inside a corporate office,” her lawyer stated.
In response, Gopalakrishnan has denied the allegations. He said the complaint is an act of revenge. “We filed the extortion complaint first. This counter-case was meant to damage my name and distract from the real issue,” he stated through his legal team.
The CEO claimed to have audio and digital evidence to support his extortion allegations. He believes the new charges are meant to weaken his original complaint and shield the accused couple.
A Larger Issue in the Tech Industry
This case has started a broader conversation about workplace safety and harassment in India’s tech industry. Many companies claim to have strict anti-harassment policies and Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs). However, critics say those systems often fail when the accused hold senior positions.
Gender rights activist Anjali Menon commented on the situation. “Victims fear speaking up when top-level executives are involved. The risk to their careers is high, and complaints often get buried.”
Kochi’s Infopark has seen rapid growth in recent years. But experts say that company culture and accountability haven’t always kept pace. “Firms must ensure that power doesn’t shield misconduct. The presence of an ICC alone isn’t enough,” Menon added.
The Way Forward
The High Court’s decision next week will shape the direction of both the extortion and harassment cases. If Gopalakrishnan’s bail plea is rejected, he may face arrest. That could also affect the company’s operations and public image.
On the other hand, if the court grants bail, it may support his claim that the harassment complaint is retaliatory. Either way, the case raises important questions about corporate ethics, gender equity, and legal safeguards in workplaces.
Legal experts stress the need for independent and fair investigations. “Both allegations—extortion and harassment—are serious. Investigators must avoid bias and ensure truth comes out,” said lawyer K. Ramesh, who has handled similar cases.
For now, the public awaits the court’s next move. Regardless of the outcome, this case highlights the need for safe, transparent, and respectful workplaces in India’s growing tech hubs.
