TM Impact: Dalit woman cook gets her pending wages, withdraws theft complaint; both parties reach agreement

On September 14, The Mooknayak published a report based on Sheetal’s complaint. The report detailed Sheetal’s allegations against the cafe owner and a serving female constable with the Delhi Police. Sheetal made several allegations, including withholding of pay, caste-based harassment, and alleged abuse of her police position.

Published on: Sep 15, 2026, 10:43 am

New Delhi: The case of a Dalit woman cook in the Moti Nagar area of ​​the capital not being paid her pending salary after she complained about the poor quality of food in the restaurant and the cafe owner filing a police case against her by accusing her of theft has been resolved.

After The Mooknayak published a report detailing the complaint and allegations made by Sheetal Singh, a Dalit woman cook, the case was swiftly processed. According to Sheetal, a written agreement was reached between the two parties on the evening of September 14th at the Moti Nagar police station in the presence of police. The cafe paid her outstanding wages, while the cafe owner gave written consent to withdraw the theft complaint against Sheetal. Sheetal has since withdrawn her complaint.

Sheetal informed The Mooknayak about the entire incident. According to her, both parties have now agreed in writing not to pursue any further legal action or complaints against each other. This immediate resolution was possible thanks to The Mooknayak’s prompt reporting and support.

Sheetal said the immediate resolution of the case was possible after the report was published and the matter was made public. She expressed gratitude to The Mooknayak, saying the report helped her voice be heard.

Said he would be called to the police station in the morning, but events changed after the news was published.

Previously, Sheetal told The Mooknayak that she had been receiving repeated phone calls asking her to come to the police station in connection with a theft case. She claimed that she was demanding her pending wages and that the theft charges were filed against her.

In this same case, The Mooknayak published a report based on Sheetal’s complaint. The report detailed Sheetal’s allegations against the cafe owner and a serving female constable with the Delhi Police. Sheetal made several allegations, including withholding of pay, caste-based harassment, and alleged abuse of her police position.

After the report was published, Sheetal said that the case has been closed with the consent of both the parties in the presence of SI in Moti Nagar police station.

According to Sheetal, the police took written statements from both parties. These statements stated that the outstanding amount of ₹17,741 had been paid and the dispute had been resolved.

Sheetal told The Mooknayak that the cafe owner agreed in writing to withdraw the theft complaint and settle the matter through a compromise. Following this settlement at the police station, both parties agreed not to file any further complaints or pursue any legal action against each other.

Sheetal stated that she believes no further proceedings are pending from either side. While providing details of the incident, Sheetal also stated that during the proceedings, a member of the local Dalit community had arrived at the police station to intervene. According to Sheetal, when asked to provide CCTV footage from the cafe to verify the claims of theft and alleged cash payments, the management stated that the cameras were not working.

Sheetal’s original complaint alleged that she was working at the cafe for a monthly salary of ₹22,000, withheld pay, caste discrimination, and alleged intimidation. The complaint also stated that after she demanded her salary, the cafe owner filed a complaint against her for stealing lentils, oil, and coffee sachets.

‘The Mooknayak report led to a swift resolution’

Following the settlement, Sheetal told The Mooknayak that the immediate resolution of the case was possible after the report was published and the matter was made public. She expressed her gratitude to The Mooknayak, saying the report helped to raise her voice.

Sheetal also said that her experience made her realise that workers from the Scheduled Caste community, who are economically weak, may face pressure and police complaints even if they ask for their hard-earned money.

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