Nashik TCS Conversion Case: In the latest development in the Nashik TCS case, a court in Maharashtra’s Nashik district on Monday scheduled May 2 to pronounce its verdict on the anticipatory bail plea of TCS employee Nida Khan, accused in a case involving alleged sexual harassment, forced religious conversion, and mental harassment at the company’s local office.
Additional Sessions Judge K G Joshi reserved the order after hearing detailed arguments from both the prosecution and defence.
The police, represented by special public prosecutor Ajay Misar, opposed Khan’s pre-arrest bail plea, citing the need for her custodial interrogation to investigate possible financial links and external funding sources, according to PTI.
Here are key updates in Nashik TCS Conversion case:
- The prosecution argued that Nida Khan played a role in the alleged religious conversion of one of the victims by providing her with a burqa, religious books, and installing religious apps on her phone.
- According to the prosecution, the victim was coerced into wearing a burqa and hijab, reciting the 'Kalma' (Islamic declaration of faith), and adopting the name "Hania."
- It further alleged that Nida was aware that the complainant belonged to a Scheduled Tribe (ST) community.
- The prosecution also stated that books were seized from the victim’s residence and religious apps were found on her phone, which Nida had allegedly helped install, PTI reported.
- It argued that Khan was aware of prime accused Danish Shaikh’s relationship with the complainant and that there were plans to settle the victim in Malaysia.
- The prosecution further submitted that Khan had given the victim a burqa and stressed that custodial interrogation was necessary, urging the court to reject her anticipatory bail application.
- Additionally, the prosecution claimed that efforts were underway to legally change the victim’s name to ‘Haniya,’ with assistance from a Malegaon-based group handling the paperwork.
- It also alleged that the accused were encouraging the victim to move to Malaysia for employment, where they allegedly planned to settle her.
- According to The Indian Express, citing sources, investigators have uncovered how the accused allegedly conspired to change the survivor’s identity, convert her religion, and send her to Malaysia under the guise of a job opportunity to work for someone named Imran.
- As per one of the FIRs, Khan allegedly advised women employees to dress and behave according to Islamic traditions. Several victims have reportedly claimed they were pressured into religious practices such as praying, altering dietary habits, and adopting specific religious symbols.
- A Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by Nashik police is currently investigating nine separate FIRs linked to allegations of sexual exploitation, attempted forced conversion, hurting religious sentiments, molestation, and workplace mental harassment involving female employees at the TCS office.
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- TCS has reiterated that it follows a strict zero-tolerance policy against harassment or coercion of any kind. The company has also suspended employees allegedly linked to the sexual harassment allegations at the Nashik branch.
- Khan had approached the court on April 18 seeking anticipatory bail along with interim protection from arrest, citing her two-month pregnancy.
- During an earlier hearing on April 20, her counsel, Kasliwal, requested temporary protection from arrest until the final hearing on her bail plea.
- So far, the SIT has arrested eight individuals, including a female operations manager, in connection with the nine FIRs.