700+ employees left reeling after Pune IT firm shut down, founder arrested; internet seeks ‘justice for cockroaches’ | Today’s news
More than 700 employees and interns of a private technology company operating in Pune’s Hinjewadi IT hub have reportedly been left without jobs, salaries or benefits after the firm suddenly shut down.
The development led to police action, with Harshal Thakare, managing director of Noida-based Thynk Tech India OPC Pvt Ltd, reportedly arrested following employee complaints.
CEO arrested after employee complaints
According to reports, Thakare, who also served as the company’s head of training and development, was accused of cheating and breach of trust. The HR manager associated with the company is also being investigated.
The case was opened after a complaint was filed by a 25-year-old trainee. Police later received similar allegations from about 30 other employees and interns.
Read also | Artificial intelligence isn’t just threatening your job, it’s your paycheck, the report says
Employees claim months of unpaid wages
Several employees claimed to have gone months without pay or stipends. The employees further claimed that they were asked to pay a deposit ₹15,000 for the assurance that laptops will be provided as part of their employment.
Several complainants said they were denied wage payments for between one and three months.
The Forum for IT Employees (FITE) said many affected workers have approached the organization for support.
“We approached the Hinjewadi police to file an FIR against the owners of the firm after several interns complained against us,” FITE chief Pavanjit Mane told ANI.
It is said that the salary guarantees never materialized
Explaining the sequence of events, Mane said the company initially appeared to be operating normally.
Read also | Amazon’s big layoffs affected this one role more than others
“The company started operations last year and initially paid the salaries of the freshers. However, since January, the employees have not been paid. The owners kept giving new dates for the payment of salaries whenever the employees approached them, but they never fulfilled these promises,” he said.
According to reports, the company has recruited engineering graduates from several districts across Maharashtra, including Yavatmal, Jalgaon and Nashik.
The office was found locked as the rent charges turned up
Employees reportedly discovered on April 22 that the company’s office space had been closed.
An Indian Express report said a notice issued by the property owner demanding refund of outstanding rent and maintenance charges was placed on the glass entrance.
Former employees said the closure came without warning, adding to fears of unpaid wages and job insecurity.
A company recruited through university placements
Reports suggest that Thynk Tech has participated in placement events organized by several reputed educational institutions across Maharashtra, which has helped it gain credibility among job seekers.
“We thought that if reputed colleges allow Thynk Tech to be placed on campuses, they must have done the vetting,” the intern was quoted as saying by IE.
Police are examining the company’s financial records
Thynk Tech India OPC Pvt Ltd operates from its divisional office at Hinjewadi Phase II, Pune, while its registered office is located at Noida.
Investigators are currently reviewing the company’s financial transactions to assess the extent of the alleged fraud and determine whether employees were misled about salaries, stipends and other job-related obligations.
Read also | ‘₹34 LPA salary, no EMIs, yet fear of layoffs’: Techie’s post sparks debate
According to FITE, the company started operations in Pune last year. Harshal Thakare, who was arrested in connection with the case, served as the firm’s CEO and head of training and development.
How social media users reacted:
The case sparked a wave of reactions on social media, where users expressed concern about workers’ rights and accountability in the private sector.
Claiming to have faced similar problems elsewhere, one user wrote: “I worked for a company that didn’t pay my travel bills to and from Pune in addition to other bills and fees. The CEO invited me to visit the head office and later promised to pay me many times. Pune is a thug city. I filed a police complaint with no progress. I may take the case to court.”
Another criticized the wider business environment, saying: “So-called private business is a freedom for criminals, corrupt, greedy and unethical people to exploit everything possible. There are many such sufferings but no one is addressing it.”
One commenter described the allegations as a red flag for job seekers, writing: “If the company asks for any kind of deposit, stay away.”
Another responded: “He will probably approach the bench of the Honorable Judge Kant to get justice against the cockroaches.”
