Suspended TCS employee Nida Khan, who is among the main accused in the sexual harassment and alleged religious conversion cases connected to the company’s Nashik unit, has been arrested by police in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar after reportedly evading authorities for nearly 25 days.
The case gained widespread attention last month after serious allegations emerged from a Tata Consultancy Services-linked BPO unit in Nashik. Multiple employees accused certain staff members and officials of sexual harassment, mental abuse, workplace intimidation, and attempts at religious conversion. Following the complaints, police constituted multiple teams and launched a large-scale search operation across different locations to trace Khan and other accused individuals.
Investigators have accused Nida Khan of hurting religious sentiments and allegedly assisting individuals accused of rape and sexual exploitation cases connected to the BPO unit. Police have further alleged that Khan attempted to influence one of the complainants to convert to Islam and also discouraged survivors from filing formal complaints against the accused persons.
Earlier this month, Khan approached a Nashik court seeking anticipatory bail. However, her plea was rejected after the prosecution argued that custodial interrogation was necessary due to the seriousness of the allegations and the nature of the evidence collected during the investigation. Prosecutors informed the court that investigators had already gathered digital evidence, witness testimonies, and information suggesting possible links extending beyond Nashik.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT), which is probing the matter under the supervision of the Nashik Police Commissioner, reportedly informed the court that Khan had allegedly introduced one complainant to specific religious practices. Investigators claimed she encouraged the complainant to wear a hijab and burqa and allegedly shared religious content, teachings, and mobile applications related to Islam.
According to the prosecution, investigators also uncovered claims that there were discussions regarding changing the complainant’s name. The SIT further alleged that the co-accused individuals had taken possession of certain important documents related to the victim. During court proceedings, officials additionally stated that the investigation had expanded to examine possible links to Malegaon and even Malaysia, where alleged employment opportunities may have been used as inducements.
Police teams had earlier conducted raids at several locations where Nida Khan was suspected of hiding after questioning her husband. However, officers reportedly found those premises locked, while the mobile phones of Khan and some of her relatives were switched off, making it difficult for investigators to trace her movements.
Khan’s lawyer had earlier informed the court that she was pregnant and staying in Mumbai while seeking protection from arrest. The defence argued that Maharashtra currently does not have a specific anti-conversion law and denied allegations that she had attempted any forcible religious conversion.
The controversy revolves around a TCS-linked BPO unit in Nashik, where multiple women employees between the ages of 18 and 25 alleged sexual harassment, molestation, workplace exploitation, religious harassment, and attempts at forced religious conversion by senior colleagues and team leaders over several years.
The women accused certain employees of molestation, unwanted physical contact, obscene remarks, stalking, and sexual exploitation under the pretext of marriage. Some complainants also alleged repeated personal remarks about their private lives and their inability to have children.
Investigators stated that some women claimed they were pressured to perform namaz, encouraged to wear hijab and burqa, and allegedly coerced into consuming non-vegetarian food. Police are examining these allegations as part of the suspected attempts at religious conversion inside the workplace.
FIRs filed in the matter also contain allegations that Hindu deities were insulted and offensive comments were made regarding Hindu religious practices within the office premises. One complainant alleged that certain accused individuals attempted to establish sexual relationships through intimidation and manipulation. Another accused, Tausif Attar, was alleged to have promised marriage to a colleague before engaging in a sexual relationship with her.
According to police officials, at least nine FIRs have been registered against several employees linked to the BPO unit. Those named in the cases include Danish Sheikh, Tausif Attar, Raza Memon, Shahrukh Qureshi, Shafi Shaikh, Asif Ansari, and others. Nida Khan, who was initially believed to be associated with the HR department but was later identified as a telecaller, has also been named among the accused.
So far, police have arrested several employees and officials allegedly connected to the case. Those arrested include Danish Sheikh, Tausif Attar, Raza Memon, Shahrukh Qureshi, Shafi Shaikh, Asif Ansari, and Ashwin Chainani, who was reportedly associated with the POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) committee. Nida Khan was arrested on Thursday as part of the ongoing investigation.
The SIT formed by Nashik Police is continuing to investigate digital evidence, witness statements, workplace records, and possible external links connected to Malegaon and Malaysia.
Meanwhile, Tata Consultancy Services has stated that it did not receive any formal complaints related to the accused individuals through its internal ethics or POSH mechanisms. However, the company confirmed that it has constituted an oversight committee and appointed independent experts to conduct an internal inquiry into the allegations surrounding the Nashik-linked BPO unit.
