Bail proceedings intensify in allegations case at Tata Consultancy Services Nashik unit, with accused seeking relief. Nida Khan plans anticipatory bail, while others prepare regular bail pleas amid ongoing investigation.
In the recent case involving allegations of sexual harassment and religious coercion at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Nashik BPO unit, multiple accused have begun pursuing bail. One of the key accused, Nida Khan, is reportedly preparing to move for anticipatory bail, while separate regular bail applications are being drafted for those already in custody.
Advocates Baba Sayyed and Rahul Kasliwal, who represent several of the accused, confirmed that Khan’s anticipatory bail process is being readied before she is arrested. They also stated that regular bail applications are in preparation for the accused persons who are already detained.
Khan initially described in reporting as an HR head, and later referred to as a telecaller is expected to file her anticipatory bail plea before the Nashik sessions court within the next few days. According to news reports, her application is likely to rely on grounds including her pregnancy and medical condition. Sources further indicate that she is waiting for a certified copy of the FIR before approaching the court.
Separately, a bail application filed by principal accused Danish Shaikh is already pending before an additional district court in Nashik. The court has sought a reply from the police, and the matter has been listed for hearing on May 2.
Allegations and Accused details
The case involves allegations that several accused, over nearly four years, sexually harassed women employees at the TCS Nashik facility and attempted to coerce them into religious conversion.
A total of eight accused six men and two women have been named, including a Pune-based operations manager. Of the eight, seven have been arrested: Shafi Shaikh, Asif Ansari, Tausif Attar, Shahrukh Qureshi, Raza Memon, Danish Shaikh, and Ashwini Chainani. While Memon and Shafi Shaikh have been remanded to police custody until April 18, the remaining accused are currently in judicial custody and are in the process of moving for bail.
Reports suggest the defence may argue, among other points, that there were delays in registering FIRs, that in some instances there were no allegations of forcible religious conversion, and that the offences invoked carry a maximum sentence of up to seven years. The accused have also described the case as “politically motivated.”
Court and investigation developments
The matter is expected to be taken up by Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Rupali Narwadia in Nashik. The allegations gained public attention following a reported sting operation, in which police personnel allegedly posed as housekeeping staff to collect evidence. Subsequently, nine FIRs were registered, and the investigation is being carried out by a Special Investigation Team (SIT).
The charges reportedly include:
- Section 69 (BNS) – sexual intercourse obtained under false promise of marriage
- Section 75 (BNS) – sexual harassment
- Section 299 (BNS) – insulting religious beliefs
- Section 3(5) (BNS) – common intention
Complainants allege they were subjected to inappropriate physical contact, sexually coloured remarks, and coercion, including threats of increased workload if they did not comply. Some victims have also alleged attempts to influence their religious beliefs like claims that Islam was portrayed as superior to Hinduism, along with derogatory remarks about Hindu deities.
NCW suo motu inquiry
Taking note of media reports, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has initiated a suo motu inquiry. The Commission has formed a fact-finding committee comprising:
- Justice Sadhna Jadhav (retired Bombay High Court judge)
- B. K. Sinha (former IPS officer)
- Advocate Monika Arora
- Lilabati (senior NCW coordinator)
The committee has been tasked with conducting an on-ground inquiry at TCS Nashik and other relevant locations. It will examine the circumstances surrounding the alleged incidents, assess the response of authorities, and propose measures to prevent recurrence and improve workplace safety for women.
Also Read: “Religious Conversion Open to All, But Requires Proof to be Voluntary”: Allahabad HC
The committee has been given flexibility to decide its own procedure and schedule, but has been directed to submit its report within ten working days.
Supreme Court plea on “deceitful religious conversion”
Separately, a plea has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking broad directions declaring what it calls “deceitful religious conversion” to be a grave threat to constitutional values, and urging the State to treat it as organised crime, terrorism, and even “indirect waging war”.
The plea has been filed in the suo motu case on religious conversions, and it cites “Organised Religious Conversion in Nasik” as having “shaken the conscience of citizens across the country.”
At the outset, it makes a demographic claim, stating:
“Demography is Destiny. And, presently around 1,000 Girls are trapped under the garb of Love and converted everyday into foreign religion. Similarly, around 1500 families (particularly EWS, BPL SC, ST, OBC) are deceitfully converted everyday into foreign religion.”
It further argues that such practices amount to a structural threat, stating:
“Organized Religious Conversion in Nasik has shaken the conscience of Citizens throughout the Country. Therefore, petitioner is filing this Application for Direction seeking certain directions and declarations to control Deceitful Religious Conversion, which is a serious threat to Sovereignty, Secularism, Democracy, Equality, Justice, Liberty, Fraternity, Unity and National integration.”
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