'Forced to climb stairs holding ears’: Ex-employee accuses Hike Education of harassment, CEO responds. Video

Responding to the accusations, Hike Education CEO Rahul Sharma issued a detailed statement, denying the claims

A former employee of Gurgaon-based edtech firm Hike Education has alleged that he was subjected to humiliation and mental harassment at the workplace, including being forced to climb stairs as a form of punishment for not meeting sales targets. The company has categorically denied the allegations, terming them a retaliatory smear campaign following an alleged extortion attempt.

Piyush Kumar, 24, made the allegations public in a LinkedIn post on Friday, claiming that he was subjected to "repeated mental harassment, defamation, and professional humiliation" during his time at the company. He said he resigned in April after being forced to perform a degrading act in front of colleagues.

“Every day, I was pressured to deliver a specific number of admissions,” Kumar wrote. “One day, I was forced to sign a note stating that if I failed to meet the target, I would take 50 rounds of the stairs as punishment.”

Kumar further alleged, “Unfortunately, I couldn’t achieve the numbers that day. Despite apologising sincerely, I was forced to catch my ears and take multiple rounds of stairs, over and over again—in front of other colleagues.”

He also shared a video in which he is seen climbing stairs while holding his ears. In a conversation with HT.com, Kumar said the number of rounds was ultimately reduced to ten but described the incident as deeply humiliating. He claimed the episode took place on April 4, and that he resigned two days later.

In his resignation letter, Kumar urged Hike Education’s HR department to investigate what he described as a hostile work environment created by his manager, Ruchi Parashar.

“They forced one employee to record the video and when I mailed them and told them I would take action, they forced that employee to sign a paper saying that the videos were made as part of fun activities,” Kumar alleged.

Responding to the accusations, Hike Education CEO Rahul Sharma issued a detailed statement, denying the claims, calling them baseless and defamatory. Sharma, who is married to Ruchi Parashar, said Kumar’s LinkedIn post was a “calculated attempt” to harm the company and their reputations following a failed demand for Rs 3.6 lakh as a settlement.

“The video which shows Kumar holding his ears was taken outside office premises and was part of a fun team activity rather than a punishment,” Sharma said. He also alleged that Kumar had faced multiple allegations of inappropriate behaviour from female employees and had been dealt with under the company’s POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) policies.

Full statement from Hike Education CEO Rahul Sharma

“This statement is issued to categorically refute and strongly condemn the baseless and defamatory allegations being circulated on LinkedIn by a former employee, Mr Piyush Kumar. Mr Kumar’s claims are false, malicious, and constitute a calculated attempt to damage the professional and personal reputations of myself, my wife Ms. Ruchi Parashar (Manager at Hike Education), and the organisation as a whole.

The video being exploited online was captured during a voluntary, informal team-fun activity. It clearly shows Mr Kumar actively participating, smiling, and enjoying the session—without any indication of coercion, discomfort, or objection. His attempt to mischaracterise the event is clearly retaliatory in nature, arising only after his unethical demand of INR 3.6 lakhs was rightfully refused by the company.

Importantly, in April 2025, we had already received complaints from multiple female employees regarding Mr Kumar’s inappropriate and troubling conduct. As a responsible employer, we first attempted to address the matter through internal resolution mechanisms in line with our company’s POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) policy. Additionally, we also sought the involvement of the local police authorities to amicably and lawfully manage the issue without escalating matters.

Following these actions, Mr Kumar admitted to his misconduct and provided a written assurance that he would refrain from further inappropriate behaviour, including any act of blackmail or publishing falsehoods against the company or its employees.

However, in May 2025, Mr Kumar wilfully violated this undertaking by publishing a fabricated and malicious post online, clearly aimed at discrediting the company and shielding himself from legal accountability. We possess conclusive evidence—including emails, chat logs, and signed statements—that have already been submitted to the concerned authorities and LinkedIn for legal action.

As a direct consequence of this orchestrated smear campaign, Ms Ruchi Parashar is now receiving threats and sexually explicit messages from anonymous individuals, creating serious concerns for her safety and psychological well-being. Her reputation, painstakingly built over the years, has been unfairly tarnished due to this deliberate misuse of digital platforms.

Hike Education maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward any form of harassment, discrimination, or unprofessional conduct. We are a law-abiding, ethically run organisation with a clean record. These false accusations are a blatant abuse of media platforms and legal protections, weaponised by one disgruntled individual for personal gain.

We have already initiated formal police complaints and legal proceedings are actively underway. Furthermore, any individual or platform that promotes, republishes, or enables the spread of these unverified defamatory claims will be made a party to the ongoing proceedings, under relevant provisions of the law.

We call upon the media, public, and all digital platforms to act responsibly. Verify facts before amplifying one-sided narratives. Do not allow justice to be derailed by manipulation and digital mob trials.

We remain committed to the truth, to protecting our people, and to upholding the values and dignity of Hike Education.”

Allegations of extortion and counterclaims

Sharma further claimed that Kumar demanded a 12-month salary payout and a written apology from Parashar to settle the matter, but the company did not respond to the demand. “After I sent the email to management, the CEO asked if I would consider a settlement,” Kumar told HT.com. “But then they never replied.”

In response to the allegations and video shared online, the company confirmed that legal proceedings are underway and that any further spread of the content could invite legal consequences.