Kamal Ghorui
PUNE/NASHIK: A major investigation into alleged sexual harassment and coercion at a TCS BPO unit in Nashik has resulted in nine FIRs and multiple arrests, including a senior HR official who was also part of the company’s POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) Internal Committee.A Special Investigation Team (SIT) is examining complaints filed by eight women employees who alleged misconduct by senior colleagues and claimed that repeated grievances were not acted upon by the HR department. The arrested HR manager is accused of failing to respond to complaints despite being part of the internal POSH mechanism, raising concerns over lapses in workplace grievance redressal.
Public prosecutor Kiran Bendbhar told the court that a senior manager at the Nashik office had regularly emailed the AGM regarding complaints against two employees accused of sexual harassment. Investigators said these emails have been seized, along with 78 additional emails and a chat recovered from the AGM’s devices, which are being examined in her presence. Police are also scrutinising bank records to check whether any financial transactions are connected to the case.Investigators are reviewing internal emails, call records, chats, CCTV footage and other digital evidence to determine whether complaints were ignored, suppressed or improperly handled. Authorities say the objective is to establish accountability and verify whether grievance mechanisms functioned as required under POSH guidelines.The Nashik court has remanded the HR manager to custody till April 15, while other accused executives remain in judicial custody. Officials said further interrogation is needed to analyse extensive digital records and related evidence.TCS has stated it maintains a zero-tolerance policy on harassment and coercion and confirmed that all employees named in the case have been suspended pending inquiry. Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran called the allegations “gravely concerning and anguishing,” adding that a detailed internal investigation is underway under senior leadership, with strict action promised against those found responsible.Maharashtra Legislative Council Deputy Chairperson Neelam Gorhe has also sought strict and impartial action, directing the Nashik Police Commissioner to ensure a thorough probe and urging a fast-track trial, citing concerns over women’s safety at workplaces.Police have reportedly formed an SIT to further investigate allegations that the HR department failed to act on repeated complaints. The arrested individuals include senior executives and HR personnel, with names such as Danish Sheikh, Tausif Attar, Raza Memon, Shahrukh Qureshi, Shafi Sheikh, Asif Aftab Ansari, and Nida Khan.In a parallel development, the Nashik district administration has ordered a review of POSH compliance within the company, while labour authorities have been asked to consider broader audits of workplace safety standards across IT firms.On April 8, Nashik Police said in an official release that six employees were arrested in connection with multiple sexual offence cases, including one accused of sexual exploitation on the pretext of marriage and five others facing charges of sexual harassment and outraging the modesty of women over time.The first FIR was registered on March 26 at Devlali Camp police station, while the remaining eight cases—including one involving an Assistant General Manager—were subsequently filed at Mumbai Naka police station. Investigators have invoked multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to sexual harassment, assault with intent to disrobe, insulting modesty of women, abetment, defamation and common intention.All six arrested employees are currently lodged in Nashik Road Central Prison under judicial custody, while one accused remains absconding and is being traced by the Special Investigation Team.Earlier, undercover police personnel reportedly spent weeks inside the facility posing as housekeeping staff to monitor workplace interactions, a move that helped trigger the registration of multiple FIRs involving allegations of harassment, coercion and misuse of authority.
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Meanwhile, Nashik district collector Ayush Prasad has directed a joint inquiry by police and a district-level committee into whether the company complied with mandatory POSH provisions and maintained adequate workplace safeguards.
