TCS Nashik case: Police hunt for Nida Khan over forced conversion allegations
Police are searching for TCS employee Nida Khan in the Nashik case involving alleged sexual harassment and forced religious conversion
A day after a sessions court turned down her plea for interim protection from arrest to Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) employee Nida Khan, a senior police official on Tuesday (April 21) said she was being sought in connection with allegations of forcible religious conversion at the company’s Nashik unit. Efforts were underway to trace her, the official said.
Conversion probe and arrests
The case is part of a wider probe into alleged sexual harassment at the Tata Consultancy Services facility, where eight persons have been arrested so far. Speaking to PTI, the official said the POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) committee should have local representation and meet regularly in person rather than depend on video conferencing.
Also Read: TCS Nashik case: Court denies interim relief to accused Nida Khan, seeks police response
Khan, named along with four others in one of the nine FIRs registered in the matter, has been identified as a key accused in the investigation into alleged sexual misconduct and religious coercion at the unit.
"Her role pertains to alleged forcible conversion," the official said.
No relief, search underway
She has been untraceable since the allegations surfaced and was denied interim relief on Monday, with her anticipatory bail plea now listed for hearing on April 27.
Also Read: TCS Nashik case: Key accused seeks anticipatory bail in 'sexual harassment' probe
Since there is no court order on interim protection, the hunt was on to nab the accused, the official said.
According to TCS, Khan was working as an associate at the unit. She had requested immediate protection from arrest because of her two-month pregnancy.
Victims and POSH concerns
Further talking about the case, the official said most of the victims are from middle-class families and are aged between 21 and 30 years. They used to work at an associate level and draw a salary of around Rs 20,000 per month.
Also Read: TCS says no internal complaints in Nashik sexual harassment, conversion case
Asked whether the victims approached the POSH committee of the office, he said there was some "technical issue", and most of the panel members were non-locals.
The official suggested that to address the issue effectively, the POSH committee should have local members. The body must be proactive and meet in person at least every three weeks, instead of video conference, he emphasised.
FIR details and police action
To another query, the official said no new victim has come forward, but police will act if more complaints are filed.
The FIR in this specific case highlighted that while working at TCS, the prime accused, Danish Shaikh, introduced the victim to his friends, Tausif and Nida.
They allegedly began mocking Hindu rituals and deities, specifically making derogatory comments about Shivaling, Lord Krishna and (Mahabharat character) Draupadi to provoke the victim, as per the FIR.
The Nashik police have formed three teams to trace Khan. These teams have been dispatched to various places to apprehend her, officials said.
The Nashik police's Special Investigation Team (SIT) is probing nine cases registered in connection with the alleged exploitation, attempt of forceful conversion, hurting religious sentiments, molestation and mental harassment of female employees at the TCS unit.
Company response
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.
The company also said it had not received any complaint through internal channels on the matter.
(With agency inputs)