How a Couple’s Stand Against Acid Attack Threat Over Clothing Choice Led to the Termination of an Etios Employee

Bengaluru- In a recent incident, social media influencer Khayti Shree, who has been vocal about women’s rights, faced yet another serious threat—this time, an acid attack threat. The individual behind the threat, Nikith Shetty, was terminated from his job at Etios Digital Services, which also filed a case against him after Khayti Shree’s husband, Shahbaz Ansar, swiftly reported the threat on social media.

This incident highlights the ongoing struggle women face for exercising their personal freedoms, particularly when it comes to clothing and public interactions.

Shetty's message, which read, “Kindly tell your wife to follow a good dress code, especially in Karnataka, or else I may splash acid on her face,” prompted immediate action from Ansar.

Alarmed by the threat, Ansar posted the details on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), tagging Karnataka's Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, and the Bengaluru police. He urged authorities to take swift action to prevent any potential harm to his wife.

The post quickly went viral, gaining widespread attention and sparking outrage. In response to public demands for action, Etios Services, Shetty’s employer, swiftly terminated his employment.

In an official statement, the company expressed its deep regret over the incident and condemned Shetty’s behavior, stating, “We are deeply saddened to address a serious incident involving one of our employees, Nikith Shetty, who made a threatening statement regarding another individual’s choice of clothing. This behaviour is absolutely unacceptable and goes against the core values we uphold at Etios Services.

As a company committed to fostering a safe and respectful environment, we have taken immediate action. Nikith's employment has been terminated for a period of five years, and we have filed a case against him to ensure accountability for his actions.

At Etios Services, we believe in promoting respect and dignity for all individuals. We stand firmly against any form of harassment or violence. Our commitment to creating a safe workplace is unwavering, and we will continue to take all necessary measures to uphold this standard.

Thank you for your understanding and support as we navigate this situation. Together, let’s work towards a more respectful and inclusive community.”

Etios Services reiterated its commitment to maintaining a safe and respectful work environment and strongly denounced any form of harassment or violence.

Khayti Shree, who has been receiving online threats for years, shared her frustration in an exclusive conversation with The Mooknayak. “This is not the first time I have been threatened,” Khayti revealed. “I’ve received rape and death threats many times before. It’s unfortunate that I’m constantly targeted for my choice of clothes and for interacting with people in public spaces. Many narrow-minded individuals believe I am a bad influence on the girls in their families, simply because I exercise my freedom.”

Khyati Shree shared that whenever she receives threats, she makes a point to publicly name and shame the culprits on social media. "I tag the people and their employers, and in many cases, the bullies have faced action from their workplaces. It’s been an effective way to hold them accountable," she explained.

She added, “India may have gained independence, but women in our country still have a long way to go. We need those in positions of power—policemen, politicians—to reiterate that women have their own individual freedoms. We should be able to wear whatever we want and go wherever we wish, at any time, without fear.”

For Shahbaz, this was the first time he had publicly spoken out about the harassment his wife has endured for years.

“In the past, Khayti Shree has always been the one to speak out about the abuse she faces online,” Shahbaz explained. “She even created a dedicated page to highlight the insults and threats she receives on social media. But this time, it felt different. We were in Bengaluru, and the acid threat felt too real. We were terrified—what if someone actually acted on it? That’s when I knew I had to report it.”

Shahbaz’s decision to speak up has sparked conversations around how men should support women in the face of such threats. “When women face these situations, many men tend to control their wives rather than confronting the abusers,” Shahbaz said. “But you must understand that even if she is your wife, she is an individual with her own life. She has the right to her own space and freedom. Men should stand by their partners, not suppress them.”

The couple, shared that despite frequent cyberbullying and threats, they have refrained from taking legal action due to their busy professional lives. However, they emphasized the urgent need for stricter regulations on social media conduct. They believe that cyberbullies should face stringent punishment, and stronger laws must be enacted to protect new content creators who aspire to use social media, a powerful tool for change, without facing similar issues.