TCS Nashik office shut amid probe into religious conversion allegations, international links under scanner

Operations at the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) office in Nashik have been suspended and movement restricted within the premises as police intensify investigations into serious allegations involving sexual harassment and attempted religious conversion of employees.

According to a News18 report, citing Nashik Police Commissioner Sandeep Karnik, nine individuals have been named as accused in connected cases, with investigators suspecting the incidents may have been carried out in an organised manner.

Police said among those named is Nida Khan, who has been charged in connection with alleged
religious harassment, and Ashwini Chainani, a former HR head, who is accused of discouraging complainants and allegedly enabling the accused.

Officials further said the investigation is also looking into whether any external influence played a role in the alleged actions.

“We are looking into possible funding angles and international links. The ATS and NIA have been informed, and any leads that emerge will be pursued as part of the investigation,” he said.

Police said the complaints span multiple allegations, including a male employee who has accused colleagues of attempting religious conversion and hurting religious sentiments, a woman who has alleged rape and religious harassment, four women who have reported sexual harassment at the workplace, and three others who have accused colleagues of both sexual and religious harassment.

Investigators noted that several of the accused held senior positions within the organisation, while the complainants were reportedly working under their supervision, raising concerns over workplace hierarchy and power dynamics.

The case, involving eight women employees at the Nashik facility, has triggered renewed discussion on workplace safety protocols and the effectiveness of internal grievance redressal systems in large IT companies.

Police said nine FIRs have been registered against eight employees so far, with seven of them arrested.

Investigations are continuing, and authorities have appealed for more victims or witnesses to come forward as the scope of the probe widens.

NCW sets up panel to probe case

Meanwhile, the National Commission for Women on Wednesday said it has set up a fact-finding committee to probe the alleged incidents of sexual harassment of employees at a Tata Consultancy Services BPO unit in Nashik.

In a statement, the Commission said the panel will visit the facility on April 17 to conduct an on-the-spot inquiry, examine the circumstances leading to the incident and assess the response of the authorities.

“The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognisance of serious media reports concerning alleged incidents of sexual harassment of women at the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) BPO unit in Nashik, Maharashtra,” the statement read.

“Taking a serious view of the matter, the Commission, in exercise of its powers under Section 8 of the National Commission for Women Act, 1990, has constituted a fact-finding committee to conduct a detailed inquiry into the incident. The committee will visit the place of incident on 17th April,” it added.

The committee comprises retired Bombay High Court Justice Sadhna Jadhav, former Haryana DGP B K Sinha, Supreme Court advocate Monika Arora and NCW Senior Coordinator Lilabati.

It has been tasked with interacting with victims, police officials, company representatives and other stakeholders, identifying lapses, if any, and recommending appropriate action against those responsible.

The panel will also suggest remedial measures to prevent recurrence of such incidents and strengthen workplace safety mechanisms for women.

The committee has been asked to submit its report to the NCW within 10 working days, following which it will present its findings in person, the statement said.

With inputs from agencies