August 25, 2026 — 10:55amA Brisbane restaurateur who sexually harassed his staffer in a “sickening way”, including breaking into her home while she was asleep, has been ordered to pay $255,000.Rojal Basnet, who previously owned Nepalese restaurant Mountain Bliss in Stones Corner in Brisbane’s south, was slapped with the damages over his offending that left his employee Sunita Pariyar feeling like she was “living in a nightmare”.The restaurant in Stones Corner has since closed.FacebookBasnet had what was described as an infatuation with Pariyar that resulted in a campaign of sexual harassment, the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission found.Several allegations were made against Basnet, which included that he cornered Pariyar in the storeroom and groped her, before threatening to “ruin her life and her husband’s life” if she told anyone.In 2022, Basnet went to Pariyar’s house uninvited about 3am, calling from the footpath for her to come out.He later threatened Pariyar and her husband, saying he would kill the husband and take her.He then struck her in the face before the pair fled.The man was accused of several “sickening” sexual harassment incidents.Getty ImagesBasnet followed the couple in his own car yelling from his window that he would kill Pariyar’s husband. Basnet followed the pair all the way to the Hendra police station.Industrial Commissioner Daniel Pratt said Pariyar’s evidence was clear, plausible and not unsettled in any way by Basnet’s cross-examination of her.Pariyar said she feared for her and her husband’s life. She also suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, and contemplated ending her life.Pratt found Basnet sexually harassed Pariyar in a sickening way that had left her “seriously injured, probably for life, and living in a nightmare that she may never fully come out of”.“I find that same conduct amounted to direct sex discrimination,” he said.“Basnet also victimised Pariyar by invading her home, assaulting her in such a terrifying manner that she now no longer feels safe in her own home.”Pratt found there were also several aggravating factors in the case that did not fall under the compensation awards for the contraventions of the Anti Discrimination Act.“I do not see there are any prospects for ordering Basnet to apologise as I feel he would not genuinely do so,” he said.Basnet denied all the allegations, arguing the complaint was fabricated, inconsistent and unsupported by credible evidence. He also submitted he had a secret relationship with Pariyar, which she rejected.Basnet pleaded guilty in 2023 in the Brisbane Magistrates Court to common assault for striking Pariyar’s husband. He also pleaded guilty to unlawful entry of Pariyar’s house and committing common assault against Pariyar.Basnet was ordered to pay $170,000 for sexual harassment and sex discrimination, $50,000 for victimisation, $35,000 aggravated damages compensating Pariyar, and $750 for economic loss arising from the harassment within 28 days.If you, or someone you know, needs support you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.Cloe Read is the crime and court reporter at Brisbane Times.Connect via X or email.From our partners