Nashik, April 20: A local court on April 20 declined to grant interim protection from arrest to Nida Khan, an accused in the sexual harassment and Islamic coercion case at the Nashik unit of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). The case has caused nationwide uproar and is called a ‘Corporate Jihad’ case by many.
The court directed the police to file their response to the anticipatory bail plea of the absconding TCS employee (reportedly under suspension) by April 27.
Khan, who has been named in multiple FIRs registered by the Nashik Police, had sought anticipatory bail along with interim relief from arrest, citing her reported two-month pregnancy.
The TCS Nashik case has become one of the most talked-about workplace harassment and coercion cases in India. Multiple FIRs from Nashik reveal serious allegations involving sexual harassment, psychological manipulation, religious pressure, and workplace exploitation inside a corporate BPO environment.
During the hearing, her counsel pressed for temporary protection until the bail plea is decided. However, Additional Sessions Judge KG Joshi did not grant any interim relief and instead sought responses from both the prosecution and the complainant.
The case is being investigated by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Nashik Police, which is probing a series of allegations including molestation, workplace harassment, religious coercion, and attempts at forced conversion.
According to officials, nine FIRs have been registered so far, and eight individuals, including a female operations manager, have already been arrested and remanded to judicial custody.
Nida Khan, who remains untraceable, is alleged to have targeted employees (especially non-Muslim colleagues) through internal communication channels, including WhatsApp groups. Complaints accuse her of pressuring Hindu colleagues to adopt Islamic religious practices, including praying as per Islamic tenets, changing dietary habits, and adhering to dress codes that Muslims are expected to follow as per their faith.
Some complainants have also alleged that they were shamed for worshipping ‘semi-clad’ ‘fake’ Gods, told that Lord Krishna was a womaniser, that Draupadi from Mahabharata was a loose woman as she had five husbands, and that they were coerced into consuming non-vegetarian food (including beef) and faced derogatory remarks about their religion – Hinduism.
Police teams have been deployed across different parts of Maharashtra to locate Khan. Investigators are also examining digital evidence and employee testimonies as part of the probe.
In addition to charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for sexual harassment and defamation, Khan has been booked under provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Her defence has contested the applicability of the Act, arguing that the allegations do not involve caste-based abuse.
Separately, two co-accused in the case, Raza Rafiq Memon and Shafi Bikhan Sheikh, have been remanded to 14-day judicial custody by a magistrate court. Other arrested individuals remain in custody as the investigation progresses.
TCS, in an earlier statement, reiterated its zero-tolerance policy towards any form of harassment or coercion. The company confirmed that employees named in the complaints have been suspended pending inquiry and that internal protocols are being followed.
The matter will next be heard on April 27, when the court is expected to consider the police response before proceeding further on Khan’s anticipatory bail plea.
