Kamal Ghorui
NASHIK: A sprawling investigation into alleged sexual exploitation, workplace harassment and religious coercion at a Nashik unit linked to Tata Consultancy Services has uncovered a disturbing pattern of sex abuse, manipulation and institutional inaction spanning nearly four years.
A four-year pattern
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case says the incidents span from 2022 to early 2026, pointing to a prolonged pattern rather than isolated complaints.As per the FIRs, women employees have described repeated instances where accused colleagues allegedly stared at their chest during meetings, and passed sexual remarks about their bodies and personal lives.Also read: TCS Nashik row explodes: How undercover police op revealed sexual abuse, coercion, religious pressure; firm vows zero toleranceIn multiple complaints, the accused are alleged to have deliberately touched women, including their hands and feet under the pretext of casual interaction, while in other cases, they allegedly attempted to establish physical proximity despite clear discomfort expressed by the victims.Some complainants have alleged that they were followed within office premises, subjected to continuous staring, and approached with inappropriate proposals.Others said they were asked intrusive questions about their private and marital lives, including comments about not having children.In one case, an accused allegedly made gestures towards a woman’s private parts and repeatedly stared at her chest, causing humiliation during workplace interactions.In another, a woman alleged that despite her objections, she was subjected to persistent advances and obscene conversations.Also read: Where did complaints go? Tracing the internal trail in TCS Nashik caseInvestigators have also pointed to the role of Nida Khan, a staffer named in a separate case, who is alleged to have introduced women employees to some of the accused and helped them befriend victims. Police say she acted as a link, enabling access rather than holding any formal authority over grievance redressal.According to police, she allegedly introduced women employees to some of the accused and helped them befriend the victims.Investigators say she was not part of the HR or grievance system, but acted as a link between the accused and the victims, reinforcing their access and influence.
Religious targeting
Several complainants stated that accused employees made derogatory remarks about Hindu deities, cracked offensive jokes about Hindu beliefs, and used abusive language referring to religion, and attempted religious conversion by coercing her to consume non-vegetarian food.In some cases, victims alleged they were pressured to adopt Islamic practices, including being asked to offer namaz, and change their way of dressing.In one of the most serious allegations, accused Tausif Attar allegedly established physical relations with the complainant on the pretext of marriage.The Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by assistant commissioner of police Sandeep Mitke, is now probing all linked cases together, including whether workplace safeguards under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) framework were followed and whether complaints were deliberately ignored or suppressed.Also read: TCS Nashik sexual harassment case jolts IT sector; NASSCOM says ‘isolated incident’Officials say the alleged incidents took place between 2022 and early 2026, indicating a prolonged period during which multiple victims may have been affected.Several employees have been arrested, including Danish Sheikh, Tausif Attar, Raza Memon, Shahrukh Qureshi, Shafi Sheikh and Asif Aftab Ansari.
TCS acts strongly
Responding to the controversy, TCS said it suspended all employees named in the cases and reiterated its zero-tolerance policy towards harassment and coercion. The company added that it is fully cooperating with the investigation.Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran termed the allegations “gravely concerning and anguishing,” and announced an internal probe led by Chief Operating Officer Aarthi Subramanian to establish accountability and ensure strict action against those found guilty.
