New Delhi: Following allegations of sexual harassment, Prashant Jha has stepped down as the political editor and bureau chief of the Hindustan Times (HT). In an email to editorial staff, HT editor-in-chief Sukumar wrote:“Hi all, Prashant Jha has stepped down as the Chief of Bureau and Political Editor of Hindustan Times with immediate effect. The bureau will report to me for the time being.”A former Hindustan Times correspondent, Avantika Mehta had accused Jha of harassment. She posted screenshots of Whatsapp conversations between her and Jha on Twitter.I’m the ex-lawyer HT correspondent mentioned in @MasalaBai’s story. This thread includes photos of my conversation with prashant jha. you will notice I do everything and beyond to not piss him off while he says he wants to hit on me— Avantika Mehta (@bitingfriends) October 6, 2018pic.twitter.com/4kDd70MYhT— Avantika Mehta (@bitingfriends) October 6, 2018“I was as nice as I could be because my little experience in Delhi has taught me pissing off a man who’s considered a darling journalist will have shit repercussions for my career and/or I’ll be at the receiving end of his friend’s wrath or laughter.”Also read: Dark Underbelly of Indian Media Revealed as Scores of Journalists Say #MeTooMehta later clarified that the conversations were from 2017, when she was no longer an employee of the Hindustan Times.Jha is one of the first high-profile figures named to step down from his role since the #MeToo movement hit the Indian media. In his email to the HT editor-in-chief, he wrote:“There have been specific allegations against me – and my personal conduct – recently, which have raised moral questions about my conduct. In this backdrop, I believe it would be best for me to step down from the position of the National Political Editor/Chief of Bureau of the Hindustan Times. I would not like the organisation to suffer, in the least, because of any allegations I face.”Responding to The Wire‘s queries, the organisation’s general counsel Dinesh Mital confirmed that the management has accepted Jha’s offer to step down pending inquiry. While Jha continues to be a part of the media group, an investigation led by their internal complaints committee has been set in motion.We have also sent a questionnaire to the HT editor-in-chief. This story will be updated as and when they respond.
