TCS – Nashik Court Grants Bail to Former Employee in Conversion Case
TCS – A court in Nashik has granted bail to former Tata Consultancy Services employee Nida Khan, who was arrested in connection with allegations involving sexual harassment and attempted religious conversion at the company’s Nashik office.
Khan, who is reportedly around five months pregnant, was arrested on May 7 from a rented flat in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Police alleged that she had avoided arrest for nearly 25 days before being taken into custody. The Nashik Road Court granted her bail on July 6 after considering her pregnancy and the stage of the investigation.
Court cites welfare of unborn child
Additional Sessions Judge K.G. Joshi said in the bail order that a pregnant woman should not be required to undergo childbirth in prison. The court referred to the social and emotional hardship connected with such circumstances while considering Khan’s request for relief.
The judge observed that allowing a child to be born outside custody would better protect the welfare of the newborn. The order stated that judicial discretion could be exercised in favour of the accused to prevent avoidable hardship during pregnancy and childbirth.
Investigation and charge sheet considered
The court also took note of the fact that the investigation in the case had been completed and that a charge sheet had already been filed. It said that continued detention of Khan was not necessary at this stage, particularly given her medical condition.
Khan was released on a personal bond of Rs 75,000 and one solvent surety of the same amount. The bail order does not determine her guilt or innocence, and the criminal proceedings will continue before the appropriate court.
Prosecution opposes bail plea
The prosecution opposed the bail applications filed by Khan and co-accused Danish Shaikh. Public Prosecutor Vijay Gaikwad, along with advocates Milind Kurkute and Nitin Pandit, representing one of the complainants, argued that investigators had collected material supporting allegations of sexual misconduct and religious pressure.
The prosecution maintained that the allegations involved serious offences and required a detailed trial. Police are examining claims related to sexual exploitation, attempted coercive religious conversion, harassment and conduct alleged to have hurt religious sentiments.
Defence says allegations are false
Khan’s lawyer, Rahul Kasliwal, told the court that she had been wrongly implicated in the matter. He said she was educated and had previously worked as an associate at TCS before her employment ended in April.
The defence argued that Khan should be granted bail because of her pregnancy and because the police investigation had reached an advanced stage. The court accepted the request subject to the conditions imposed in the bail order.
Nine cases linked to Nashik office allegations
Police are investigating nine cases connected with allegations involving women employees at the TCS facility in Nashik. The complaints include accusations of sexual harassment, molestation, mental harassment, attempted forced religious conversion and offences related to religious sentiments.
The current case was registered at Deolali Camp Police Station under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. These include Section 69, related to sexual intercourse through alleged deceitful means; Section 65, concerning sexual harassment; and Section 299, dealing with acts intended to outrage religious feelings.
The accused have also been booked under provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act because the complainant belongs to the Dalit community.
Allegations under police examination
According to the police case, Khan allegedly gave the complainant a burqa and religious literature. Investigators have also alleged that Islamic applications were installed on the complainant’s mobile phone and that she was encouraged to learn religious practices, including namaz and the use of hijab.
These allegations remain subject to investigation and judicial scrutiny. No final finding has yet been made by the court on the merits of the accusations.
TCS has said it maintains a zero-tolerance approach towards harassment and coercion. The company had earlier stated that employees accused in the Nashik incidents were suspended pending further action.