The controversy surrounding the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) Nashik office has intensified after a key witness alleged that accused employees actively encouraged targeting Hindu women for relationships and marriage with an intent to convert.
“They used to say, ‘Go make Hindu girls your girlfriends and marry them’. They used to say ‘convert your religion’ and used to talk about their religion,” a contractual employee told media.
The witness further made serious claims of financial backing behind such activities, stating: “They were also given money. It was ongoing since 2021. The HR madam was also funded.”
Police are currently probing at least nine complaints linked to incidents that allegedly took place between February 2022 and March 2026. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted last week to investigate complaints filed by eight women employees.
So far, seven employees, six men and one woman have been arrested, while another accused, identified as Nida Khan, remains absconding.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Danish Sheikh, Tausif Attar, Raza Memon, Shahrukh Qureshi, Shafi Sheikh, Asif Aftab Ansari, and HR manager Nida Khan. All have been suspended pending inquiry.
According to police findings, one of the accused repeatedly engaged in a physical relationship with a woman employee on the false promise of marriage. Other allegations include inappropriate physical contact, obscene remarks about a victim’s body, and derogatory comments about her personal and marital life.
Police stated: “When the complainant repeatedly lodged verbal complaints regarding these incidents with the company’s head officer, he failed to take cognizance… instead, he effectively abetted their actions.”
The accused are also alleged to have made obscene remarks regarding the physical appearance of victims, adding to the pattern of sustained harassment.
The role of the Human Resources department has come under intense scrutiny. Victims have alleged that instead of addressing their complaints, the woman HR manager threatened them with termination.
Despite repeated verbal complaints, no formal redressal mechanism was activated, raising serious questions about the implementation of workplace safety norms and POSH guidelines within the organisation.
In a significant and troubling development, police have confirmed allegations of religious coercion within the workplace. One male employee was allegedly forced to perform namaz and was insulted for his religious identity.
Additionally, the absconding HR manager, Nida Khan, has been accused of influencing women employees by gradually encouraging them to adopt specific religious practices.
Investigations suggest that the alleged activities were not isolated incidents but part of a pattern ongoing since 2021. The complaints formally cover incidents between February 2022 and March 2026, indicating prolonged institutional inaction.
Following the gravity of the allegations, N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons, has ordered an internal probe into the matter.
In its official statement, TCS reiterated: “TCS has a long-standing zero-tolerance policy towards harassment and coercion of any form… As soon as we were made aware of the matter in Nashik, we took swift action.”
The case has triggered wider concerns about workplace safety, corporate accountability, and the failure of internal complaint mechanisms in large organisations.
With allegations ranging from sexual exploitation and coercion to religious targeting and institutional complicity, the probe is expected to have far-reaching implications not only for the company but also for corporate governance standards in India.
