A major development has surfaced in the high-profile Nashik TCS harassment and religious conversion case, with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) claiming to have recovered chats allegedly showing that the complainant was being referred to as “Hania” after her alleged conversion.
According to investigators, the chats were recovered during the ongoing probe into allegations of rape, coercive religious conversion and criminal conspiracy involving multiple accused persons linked to the case.
The matter came up as the Nashik Road court prepared to hear the bail plea of accused Nida Ijaz Khan.
“The one who converted”: What investigators claimed in court
Sources linked to the investigation stated that one of the recovered conversations allegedly showed Nida Ijaz Khan telling a relative, “I am going out with Hania today…”
When the relative allegedly asked who “Hania” was, investigators claimed the reply read: “The one who converted…”
The SIT believes the alleged messages strengthen the prosecution’s claim that the complainant’s religious identity and name were being deliberately changed as part of a larger conspiracy.
Investigators have alleged that the victim, an unmarried woman employed at a multinational company in Nashik, was pressured into religious conversion while also facing sexual exploitation and emotional coercion.
FIR registered in March, multiple serious charges invoked
The case was formally registered at Deolali Camp Police Station on March 26, 2026, after the complainant accused the accused persons of rape, forced conversion attempts and hurting her religious sentiments.
Police invoked several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to rape, sexual assault, criminal conspiracy, cheating and outraging religious sentiments.
Authorities also added sections of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, citing the seriousness and sensitivity of the allegations.
SIT files 1,500-page chargesheet
The Special Investigation Team has now submitted a chargesheet reportedly running nearly 1,500 pages before the court.
The chargesheet names four accused:
Danish Ejaz Sheikh
Tausif Bilal Attar
Nida Ijaz Khan
Matin Majid Patel
Police said Danish Sheikh and Tausif Attar had already been arrested earlier during the investigation.
Nida Khan arrested from AIMIM corporator’s residence
Investigators stated that Nida Ijaz Khan had allegedly been absconding before being detained from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on May 7.
Police further alleged that Matin Majid Patel, an AIMIM corporator, provided shelter to the absconding accused at his residence.
According to investigators, Nida Khan was arrested from Patel’s residence earlier this month. Nashik Police have since issued a notice directing Patel to appear for questioning in connection with the case.
Malaysia link, job trap allegations under probe
Earlier during court proceedings, the prosecution also alleged that the accused attempted to lure the complainant through employment opportunities and had possible links extending to Malaysia.
Investigators are examining whether the alleged network was part of a broader operation involving grooming, emotional manipulation and religious conversion targeting vulnerable women.
SIT continues probe amid high public attention
Given the gravity of the allegations and the growing public attention around the case, Nashik Police Commissioner Sandeep Karnik constituted a Special Investigation Team headed by Assistant Commissioner of Police Sandeep Mitke.
Officials said the investigation is still ongoing and further legal action will depend on the outcome of pending hearings, including the bail plea filed by Nida Ijaz Khan.
