Former executive Lathika Pai sues Microsoft for unfair termination, demands Rs 35 crore
Lathika Pai, previously a senior executive at Microsoft India, has filed a civil suit against the company, claiming she had to resign due to a hostile work environment. Pai has demanded Rs 35.3 crore in damages. The case, moved by Delhi High Court to City Civil Court in Bengaluru, will be heard next on June 9.
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Former senior Microsoft India executive Lathika Pai has filed a civil suit against the company, alleging that she was forced to resign due to a hostile work environment . She has demanded Rs 35.3 crore in damages.The suit alleges that Pai faced procedural unfairness, which she called "constructive dismissal". Delhi High Court heard the matter in May 7, before shifting it to City Civil Court in Bengaluru after Microsoft's lawyers challenged the court's jurisdiction. The matter will now be heard in Bengaluru on June 9. startup ecosystem veteran known for supporting women-led ventures, Pai was Microsoft's Country Head for Venture Capital and Private Equity Partnerships at the time of her resignation in July 2024.Pai claims she had to endure eight months of intimidation and professional isolation following an internal investigation into 'Highway to a 100 Unicorns', a flagship startup initiative she led. Microsoft launched the programme in 2019 to support early-stage startups in small cities through state government partnerships.Later in 2019, Microsoft received anonymous charges of vendor favouritism and financial irregularities in the initiative. The subsequent probe in the matter cleared Pai of any wrongdoing and she was promoted in 2021.However, law firm Morgan Lewis & Bockius launched a second investigation in March 2024. Pai claims she was denied the original complaints and transcripts from the first investigation, and a key interview in 2024 was conducted without recording, in contravention of Microsoft's policy. Her objections to these were met with more hostility by the company, she says. She was removed from key forums and labelled a "troublemaker".Pai also alleged Microsoft of inadequate action in a 2020 cyberbullying case. She further said that Microsoft's leadership was sceptical of collaborations with state governments.Pai has founded JobSkills, a social impact company with focus on employability, and nonprofit SounderConnect, which works with women entrepreneurs. She has long supported inclusion and innovation in India's startup space.
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