KATHMANDU: The Chief of Bureau and Political Editor Prashant Jha of noted Indian national daily Hindustan Times stepped down on Monday amid mounting criticism following allegations of sexual misconduct against him by a former HT employee.

As per media reports, Jha was asked to drop his managerial responsibilities with immediate effect and his sub-ordinates have been advised to report to the Editor-in-Chief for the time being. However, Jha will carry his reporting duties, it has been learnt.

Jha, also the author of “Battles of The New Republic: A Contemporary History of Nepal” and “How the BJP wins” fell into controversy after the former employee posted screenshots of WhatsApp chat between the two amid the mounting number of cases of misconducts being filed as India’s #MeToo movement.

Moreover, Jha is expected to be subjected to an Internal Complaints Committee investigation, according to media reports.