Kamal Ghorui
NASHIK: A special investigation team (SIT) is probing a series of sexual harassment cases at a multinational IT company in Nashik, after eight women employees lodged complaints alleging mental and sexual harassment over the past few years. Seven people, including an assistant general manager (HR), have been arrested in the case.Speaking to reporters, Maharashtra minister Girish Mahajan said the probe could uncover a wider pattern.“Some senior employees, including women, did not take any action despite complaints. A case has been filed against them. The inquiry is underway. I think the involvement of some more people will also come to light in this,” he said.The minister alleged that the victims had been forced to offer namaz, eat beef, and that attempts had been made to convert them.“Some senior employees, including women, did not take any action despite complaints. A case has been filed against them. The inquiry is underway. I think the involvement of some more people will also come to light in this,” he said.He further claimed that the women might have been victims of a racket involved in luring girls with a promise of jobs and later blackmailing them with their photographs and videos.He further said the investigation was not limited to one workplace. “Authorities suspect this may not be an isolated incident and could reflect a larger trend within major corporate environments,” he said.
Arrests and court remand
Police said the HR official was arrested for allegedly abetting sexual harassment by failing to act on a complaint raised by a woman employee against colleagues.The court remanded the HR manager to police custody till April 13, while six other accused were sent to 14-day judicial custody.Assistant commissioner of Police (Crime) Sandeep Mitke, who is heading the SIT, said more arrests and custodial actions are likely.“We will seek the court’s production warrant to secure custody of these five accused and arrest them in the other cases,” he said. “We are also searching for one more suspect, whose whereabouts are not known yet,” he added.
Multiple FIRs and allegations
Police have registered nine FIRs since March 26, including cases of sexual harassment, breach of promise to marry, and allegations of hurting religious sentiments. The incidents are said to have taken place between 2022 and 2026.In one case, investigators allege that the HR official ignored a complaint of sexual harassment, allowing the accused employees to continue their actions.“Had this HR official taken note of the complaint, the other crimes would not have taken place. The ignorance of the HR official only encouraged the accused to indulge in sexual harassment of the victims,” assistant public prosecutor Aniket Avhad said.However, defence lawyer Baba Sayyad argued that further custodial remand was not required, stating that police had not recovered any material evidence from the accused.
PoSH Act compliance under scanner
District collector Ayush Prasad has ordered a probe into compliance with the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (PoSH) Act at the company.“The inquiry by the police and the district-level committee will determine if the IT company has been taking necessary steps, including the proper registration of complaints and maintaining proactive vigilance as mandated by the PoSH Act,” he said.Officials said the district-level committee will examine whether the Internal Committee mandated under the PoSH Act existed and whether it functioned properly.
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Chief minister’s response
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis praised the police action in the case.“The way sexual exploitation was carried out and religious sentiments were hurt at an IT firm using pressure is shocking. I would like to congratulate the police for acting swiftly and exposing the matter,” he said.Police said the SIT continues to investigate all nine cases registered against employees of the firm, which employs around 300 people in Nashik.
