A private marketing company in Kochi, Kerala, is under intense scrutiny following the release of disturbing videos that show employees being subjected to degrading and abusive punishments. The footage, which has rapidly spread across social media and news outlets, features one man crawling on his knees while a leash is tied around his neck, making him appear to be led like a dog. In another clip, employees are seen being ordered to undress as part of the punishment.
The videos, recorded about four to six months ago, allegedly show the harsh discipline methods used against employees who failed to meet sales targets. The footage has sparked outrage both within Kerala and beyond, with one of the most unsettling scenes showing employees forced to pick up coins from the floor using their mouths.
In response to the growing public outcry, Kerala’s Labour Minister, V. Sivankutty, condemned the footage as "shocking and disturbing," and ordered an immediate investigation. The minister stated, "Such a heinous thing should not have happened in Kerala," and directed the district Labour officer to conduct a thorough inquiry.
The Labour Department has since launched an official investigation into the allegations of abusive practices at the firm, which is based in Kaloor, with the incidents reportedly occurring in nearby Perumbavoor. Although the firm has denied the allegations, several current and former employees have come forward, confirming that such degrading punishments were a regular part of the company’s disciplinary methods. They claimed that individuals who failed to meet sales targets were subjected to crawling, sometimes forced to undress, and in extreme cases, publicly humiliated.