NEW DELHI: A delivery employee was allegedly restrained and assaulted by a showroom owner over the issue of using perfume inside the store premises, police officials said.The injured employee has been identified as Risha Kumar, 18, son of Lalla Babu, and a resident of Harijan Basti near Ambedkar Park in Old Kondli.The incident was captured on CCTV and went viral on social media. The video shows the employee being forced to pose like a rooster before being assaulted by a store owner.The clip has been widely shared online, including by the Indian National Congress (INC), which raised concerns about the treatment and safety of gig workers.In its post, the INC said: “Isn’t the delivery boy human too? At a Kondli-based Zepto store in Delhi, gig worker Rishav Kumar was brutally beaten after being forced to act like a rooster. The hands that run for our convenience every day are now insecure themselves. When will gig workers finally get justice, security, and respect?”Police took cognisance of the incident after receiving information about the assault and have initiated necessary action.Legal proceedings under relevant laws have been registered, and further investigation is ongoing, officials said.According to the complaint, a Zepto showroom owner allegedly restrained and assaulted a delivery employee for using perfume inside the store.The incident comes just days after platform-based delivery workers affiliated with the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT) observed a nationwide strike on December 31, protesting against low wages, unfair working conditions, and the lack of social security.(With agency inputs)
