18 October 1999: Reka Maximovitch joins Infosys as Phaneesh Murthy’s assistant December 2000: Reka Maximovitch quits Infosys January-June 2001: Reka takes out two restraining orders against Phaneesh; of which she alleges at least one was violated 17 December 2001: Reka files a case against Phaneesh Murthy and Infosys for "sexual harassment and wrongful termination" January 2002: Phaneesh warns Nilekani of the possibility of a sexual harassment case against him and the organization. Says he is innocent and the company is not at risk 23 July 2002: Phaneesh quits 25 April 2003: Case settled out of court for $3 mn, payable in a month
Announcing the settlement, Infosys chairman NR Narayana Murthy said under the terms of the agreement, Infosys "reserved the right" to take action against Phaneesh for non-participation in the settlement (not paying up any part of $3 million) and for his conduct.
According to Narayana Murthy, Phaneesh did not inform the company about his consensual relationship with Maximovitch, who was his executive assistant from October 1999 to December 2000... nor did he tell the company about two restraining orders she had obtained from the court after she left the company (See box, Timeline). Finally, he informed chief executive officer Nandan Nilekani there was a "possibility of a case being filed" a month after the case had already been filed.
Besides, said the legal counsel—"If Phaneesh believed he was innocent and wanted
