'Crawling like a dog': Kerala firm faces heat over alleged workplace abuse after video goes viral

A private marketing firm in Kerala’s Kochi is under intense scrutiny after disturbing videos emerged showing employees being subjected to degrading punishments. The visuals, now widely circulated online and across television channels, show a man crawling on his knees with a leash tied around his neck, being led like a dog. In another clip, employees appear to be undressing under orders.

The alleged reason? Failure to meet sales targets.

Footage triggers public outrage and official response
The videos, reportedly recorded about four to six months ago, have prompted outrage across Kerala and beyond. In one of the most disturbing segments, employees are allegedly made to pick up coins from the floor using their mouths. As the videos gained traction, Kerala’s Labour Minister V Sivankutty stepped in.

Describing the footage as “shocking and disturbing,” the minister told the media, “Such a heinous thing should not have happened in Kerala. I have ordered a probe into the incident and instructed the district Labour officer to submit a report in connection with the incident after carrying out a probe.”

The Labour Department has since launched a formal investigation into the allegations of harassment and abusive disciplinary methods at the firm, which is reportedly based in Kaloor, with the incident taking place in nearby Perumbavoor.

Conflicting accounts and police statement
Station House Officer Rajesh M K confirmed that the videos were recorded by a former manager. “We were told that this was done as part of a training. We have not registered a case yet since no complaint has been filed,” he said.

Interestingly, the man shown being led by a leash in the video has denied the abuse claims. Speaking to the media, he said, “I am still working in the firm. These visuals were from some months ago and forcefully taken by a person who was working as the manager of the institution then. He was later asked to quit by the management and he is now using the visuals to tarnish the owner of the firm.”

This same statement was reportedly shared with the police and Labour Department officials.

Employees speak out
Despite the denials, several individuals—believed to be current or former employees—told a local TV channel that such punishments were a routine part of the firm’s operations. According to their statements, anyone who failed to meet sales targets was made to crawl, sometimes stripped, and in extreme cases, humiliated in front of others.

This has raised serious concerns about workplace rights and the power dynamics in small-scale private firms, where formal HR systems may be absent or ineffective.

The controversy has now reached the State Human Rights Commission, which registered a case based on a complaint filed by High Court lawyer Kulathoor Jaisingh. The Kerala State Youth Commission also took suo motu action, demanding a report from the district police chief.

Commission Chairman M Shajar said, “Legal action should be taken against such practices that were unacceptable in a civilised and democratic society.”

Adding to the controversy, the owner of the firm had previously been arrested in an unrelated sexual assault case. While no link has been formally drawn between the past case and the current allegations, it has deepened public suspicion and prompted calls for stronger oversight of private companies.

As of now, no FIR has been filed. Police say they are still verifying facts and awaiting formal complaints. However, the Labour Department’s investigation, coupled with inquiries from the Human Rights and Youth Commissions, may change that soon.

For now, the case has reignited a wider conversation about the rights of employees in India’s private sector and the culture of fear that can take root when performance pressure goes unchecked.

The outcome of these investigations could set a precedent for how such workplace abuse is handled in future—and whether silence remains the norm, or accountability finally takes root.