Disturbing visuals of alleged employee abuse at Kochi-based marketing firm Hindustan Power Links (operating under Keltra Marketing) have triggered widespread condemnation, with authorities launching probes into the matter. The viral video, which surfaced over the weekend, purportedly shows workers being subjected to extreme humiliation and physical abuse as “punishment” for failing to meet sales targets. However, the authenticity of the footage has now been disputed, with one featured individual claiming it was staged as part of an internal vendetta.
Graphic Allegations Of Abuse
The video, widely circulated on social media, depicts employees being:
- Paraded with belts tied around their necks like dogs, forced to crawl on all fours.
- Made to drink water from bowls placed on the floor.
- Forced to remove their pants and hold each other’s private parts.
- Punished by having salt stuffed into their mouths.
- Compelled to lick coins off the floor while mimicking a dog urinating in corners.
BREAKING: Modern-day slavery in the name of targets!🚨
At Hindustan Power Links, workers who failed to meet targets were forced to wear belts around their necks and paraded like dogs!
They were even made to lick spit and grab each other’s private parts — horrifying abuse under… pic.twitter.com/t5htyqUQPD
— महारथी-മഹാരഥി (@MahaRathii) April 5, 2025
According to Mathrubhumi, these acts were allegedly routine for staff who missed daily sales quotas. Employees, many earning between ₹6,000–₹8,000 monthly, reportedly stayed silent due to fear of retaliation. The firm’s Kaloor Janatha Road branch, operational for over 20 years, allegedly confiscated phones to prevent leaks.
Management Denies Claims; Video Allegedly “Fabricated”
In a dramatic twist, a person seen in the video claimed it was “staged months ago” during an internal managerial dispute. He alleged a former manager, later fired, edited and leaked the footage to malign the company.
“I am still working there… the visuals were forcefully recorded and are now being misused,” he told police and labour officials.
Hindustan Power Links denied all accusations, stating it adheres to labour laws and provides employee benefits. It clarified Keltra Marketing acts only as its agent and bears no direct responsibility for the video’s claims.
Government And Police Response
Kerala Labour Minister V. Sivankutty ordered an urgent probe, calling the acts “unacceptable in a civilized society.” The district labour officer will submit a report.
Kerala State Human Rights Commission registered a case based on a complaint by lawyer Kulathoor Jaisingh.
Kerala State Youth Commission took suo moto cognizance, directing police to investigate and submit findings.
Police are verifying the video’s origins. Initial reports suggested the incident occurred in Perumbavoor, not Kaloor. Perumbavoor police noted the firm’s owner was earlier arrested in a sexual harassment case (now out on bail).
As the investigation continues, the district labor officer is preparing a detailed report for the labor minister, while police are preparing to question those who initially raised the allegations. The case has drawn significant public attention, with Youth Congress activists staging protests outside the company’s Kaloor office.
Minister Sivankutty has emphasized that such alleged practices have no place in a civilized society and has assured that the government will take appropriate action once all facts are established.
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