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The Mahindra Group Monday issued a statement after Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP Sulata Deo alleged that one of its employees sent her rape and death threats on social media.

The Anand Mahindra–owned company said it has “zero tolerance” for any form of misconduct, intimidation or threats, and has begun an internal probe.

“We have been made aware of certain undignified and highly inappropriate messages allegedly made by one of our employees towards a political leader on Facebook. The Mahindra Group has always enshrined the importance of human dignity from its very foundation and believes in upholding an environment of respect, with no tolerance for any breaches of these principles,” the company said in its statement.

It added: “We take this matter with utmost seriousness and have initiated an immediate investigation. Should the allegations be validated, strict action will be taken in accordance with our code of conduct and values.”

Deo posted screenshots of the threats, naming the employee as Satyabrata Nayak. According to his Facebook profile, he works at Mahindra’s Nashik branch. Deo alleged that the accused is also a BJP worker.

“Dear PMO INDIA A worker of Mahindra Company, Nasik, as well as a BJP worker, openly threatens a woman MP to rape and kill. If this is the situation, imagine what happens to the unprivileged women of Read!!! This is for your necessary information and action,” she wrote in a Facebook post.

In another post, Deo said senior police officials had “turned a blind eye” to the matter, adding that no action had been taken.

The incident has drawn widespread political reactions.

TMC MP Sagarika Ghose wrote on X: “Utterly shocking and unacceptable. Hatred and violence against women is now rampant across our society. India is back-peddling on gender justice.”

Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi wrote: “This is extremely shameful and I condemn this threat as a fellow colleague of Smt Sulata Deo.” She also urged the Centre to take action against the employee.

BJD MP Sasmit Patra said: “Utterly shocking and intolerable. A vile threat to my colleague, a woman MP, is an attack on the dignity of every woman and every representative of democracy. If an elected MP is unsafe, imagine the plight of ordinary women. Authorities must act immediately—justice and safety cannot be compromised.”

NNP