Advocate Rahul Kasliwal, representing Nida Khan in the TCS case, speaks to the media after court arguments on her anticipatory bail plea in Nashik on Monday (April 20). Photo: PTI
TCS Nashik case: Court denies interim relief to accused Nida Khan, seeks police response
Pregnant accused Nida seeks anticipatory bail; SIT intensifies search for her as probe into alleged coercion and harassment at IT firm widens
A local court on Monday (April 20) did not grant interim protection from arrest to Nida Khan, an accused in the sexual harassment and religious coercion case at the Nashik unit of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), directing the police to submit their response to her plea by April 27.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Nashik police, which is probing nine cases of molestation and harassment at the IT major's Nashik unit, has launched a search for Khan in different parts of Maharashtra.
Plea for anticipatory bail
Nida Khan on Saturday (April 18) moved the Nashik court seeking anticipatory bail and an interim protection from arrest pending the plea hearing, citing her two-month pregnancy.
During the hearing on Monday, her lawyer, Rahul Kasliwal, pressed for interim relief, which would have given her protection from arrest until her main plea was decided by the court. Additional Sessions Judge KG Joshi, however, did not pass any order on the interim prayer and directed the police and the complainant to file their response to Khan’s plea, while posting the matter for April 27.
Also Read: TCS Nashik case: Key accused seeks anticipatory bail in 'sexual harassment' probe
The SIT has arrested eight persons, including a female operations manager, by registering nine FIRs after allegations of exploitation, attempt of forceful conversion, hurting religious sentiments, molestation, and mental harassment of female employees at the TCS unit came to light.
Three teams formed to trace Nida Khan
The Nashik police have formed three teams to trace Nida Khan.
She is accused of targeting employees in a WhatsApp group, pressuring them to pray and eat non-vegetarian food. According to the FIR, Nida allegedly advised women employees to dress and behave in accordance with Islamic traditions.
Some victims have also alleged that they were coerced or pressured into adopting religious practices, including praying, changing dietary habits, and adopting religious symbols.
Also Read: TCS says no internal complaints in Nashik sexual harassment, conversion case
Besides Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) provisions for sexual harassment and defamation, Khan has also been booked under relevant sections of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The defence, however, contended that there were no allegations involving caste-based slurs or insults and hence, the SC/ST Act was not applicable.
Two other accused in judicial custody
In a related development, a magistrate court in Nashik remanded two other accused in the case, Raza Rafiq Memon (35) and Shafi Bikhan Sheikh (36), to 14-day judicial custody. The others arrested in the case are currently in judicial custody.
Also Read: TCS Nashik: Families of accused allege Bajrang Dal involvement, cry ‘conspiracy’
TCS has clarified that it has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards harassment and coercion of any form for a long time, and the employees allegedly involved in sexual harassment at the Nashik office have been suspended.
(With agency inputs)