In a surprising turn of events, beauty and fashion product retailer Nykaa has sued its former chief business officer Gopal Asthana. Asthana who presently heads Tata Digital's fashion business, Tata Cliq has been accused of breaching confidentiality, misappropriation of proprietary data and seeking to harm its business. It is being said that the Nykaa management was upset about Asthana contacting its employees who earlier used to report to him to join Tata Cliq and some of them have resigned and joined Tata Cliq in the last one year since Asthana left.
In its petition filed at the Bombay High Court, Nykaa is seeking a refund out of the total renumeration, incentives and other benefits paid to Asthana upon his exit. It is being stated that the beauty giant has asked for Rs 19 crore of employee stock option benefits availed of by him along with another Rs 5 crore citing loss of goodwill and other business metrics.
The high court directed Asthana to not approach his previous peers and subordinates for roles at Tata Cliq. Falguni Nayar-led Nykaa has not made Tata Digital a party to the petition.
Speaking to Economic Times, Asthana contested the allegations. He however, maintained that because the matter is sub-judice, he cannot comment on it.
Gopal Asthana was with Nykaa as a CBO close to 4 years before moving to Tata Cliq.
