Nida Khan, a prominent accused in the alleged sexual harassment and religious coercion case linked to a Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) BPO unit in Nashik, has been apprehended in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Her arrest followed weeks of evading law enforcement agencies after her anticipatory bail plea was rejected by a court.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Nashik police, along with the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar police and its crime branch, executed the arrest on Thursday. Khan is implicated in multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) registered concerning allegations of exploitation, mental harassment, molestation, and attempts at religious coercion of female employees at the TCS facility.
Background of the Case
The controversy first surfaced in February when allegations emerged of women employees at the Nashik TCS unit being subjected to sexual harassment, mental abuse, and attempts at religious conversion. These allegations led to the registration of nine FIRs by the Nashik police between March 26 and April 3. Eight individuals, including a female operations manager, were arrested prior to Khan’s apprehension.
Accusations Against Nida Khan
Nida Khan faces several serious accusations. She is alleged to have targeted employees through a WhatsApp group, pressuring them to adopt Islamic practices, including changes in dietary habits and prayer routines. Some reports indicate she advised women employees to dress and behave in accordance with Islamic traditions and allegedly facilitated the adoption of religious symbols and practices. Furthermore, Khan is accused of hurting religious sentiments and allegedly assisting those involved in rape and sexual exploitation cases linked to TCS Nashik. Investigators also claim she attempted to influence a complainant to adopt Islam and discouraged survivors from filing complaints.
Khan has been booked under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for sexual harassment and defamation, as well as under provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, as the complainant is from a Scheduled Caste community and allegedly faced religious coercion despite Khan’s knowledge of this fact.
Legal Proceedings and Evasion
Khan had sought anticipatory bail, citing pregnancy as a ground for protection from arrest. However, a Nashik court rejected her plea on May 2. Following the rejection, police intensified their search for her across Maharashtra. She was reportedly staying with relatives in an isolated house in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar before being tracked down through technical surveillance.
The case gained wider attention when a local political party worker approached the Nashik police alleging that a Hindu woman working at the BPO was being influenced to follow Islamic practices. This led to an undercover police operation within the BPO, which provided grounds for formal legal action. Khan’s role is described as pivotal, with allegations extending to attempts at forcible conversion, including providing a victim with a burqa and religious books, and installing religious apps on her phone.
TCS’s Response
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has maintained a stance of zero tolerance towards harassment and coercion. The company confirmed that it suspended employees allegedly involved in the case and initiated an internal investigation led by its Chief Operating Officer, Aarthi Subramanian. TCS engaged independent counsel, Deloitte and law firm Trilegal, to oversee the probe. The company clarified that Nida Khan was a process associate and not an HR manager or involved in recruitment, refuting earlier reports.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
