The National Commission for Women took cognisance of a complaint submitted by journalist Barkha Dutt on July 16 against Tiranga TV‘s promoter Promilaa Sibal, the wife of Congress leader Kapil Sibal. Dutt’s complaint alleges that Ms Sibal had “repeatedly used anti-women cuss words to talk about her female staffers”, her included.

NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma told Newslaundry that a decision about the next course of action would be taken tomorrow, July 17. Sharma said, “Because I am travelling, I need to consult my legal team before taking action.” She confirmed that no material evidence was submitted alongwith the complaint.

In her complaint, Dutt had stated that “multiple eyewitnesses are willing to go on record to confirm the use of this anti-woman cuss word.”

Earlier, Dutt had called the situation at Tiranga “appalling”, alleging that over 200 employees were facing sackings. Dutt later tweeted that “bouncers” had been sent to the office where “protesting colleagues … are on an all-night sit-in dharna”.

Last week, Newslaundry reported that over the last one month, Tiranga TV laid off over two dozen employees in two rounds of layoffs from across departments. This included those from production, editorial, admin, technical and digital teams. In the first round that took place between June 19-21, at least 15 employees were let go. In the second round that began earlier this month, the list of employees to be laid-off included over 20 names. Employees have been protesting and submitted a memorandum of appeals to the Sibals.