In Nashik, Maharashtra, a covert police operation has uncovered a troubling pattern of alleged sexual harassment at a multinational company, with authorities highlighting possible financial motives tied to the exploitation of young female employees over nearly four years.
Seven women police officers, working undercover and in disguise, entered the firm and directly observed one of the key suspects engaging in inappropriate conduct during an internal meeting. The officers witnessed the accused mistreating female staff, providing immediate evidence that helped crack the case. Investigators are now scrutinizing more than 40 CCTV clips to strengthen the charges.
The complaints centre on nine First Information Reports (FIRs) filed against six individuals, including a team leader and an HR representative, as well as a seventh arrest involving a woman from the HR department accused of neglecting her duties under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment guidelines. The victims, mostly aged 18 to 25, have described repeated incidents of sexual harassment, unwelcome physical contact, lewd remarks, and attempts to establish physical relations on false promises of marriage.
Several allegations also involve the hurting of religious sentiments. Complainants claimed they were subjected to derogatory comments about Hindu deities, pressured to perform Namaaz, forced to consume non-vegetarian food, and targeted with efforts at religious conversion. In one instance, despite multiple verbal complaints to a senior company officer about molestation, no action was taken; instead, the officer allegedly abetted the misconduct.
Specific cases detail a range of abuses spanning from 2022 to early 2026. Accused individuals named in the FIRs include Danish Sheikh, Tausif Attar, Nida Khan, Raza Memon, Shahrukh Qureshi, Shafi Sheikh, and Asif Ansari. Charges encompass obscene staring, inappropriate touching, body-shaming comments, stalking, and creating a hostile work environment laced with religious insults.
Five of the accused were arrested on Tuesday and remanded in police custody until April 10 after being produced in court. Another suspect remains in judicial custody. A Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by ACP (Crime) Sandeep Mitke, has been constituted on the orders of Police Commissioner Sandeep Karnik. The SIT is examining whether the incidents point to a larger organised racket.
Police have appealed to other potential victims to come forward and share their experiences via WhatsApp at the number 9923323311, assuring confidential assistance.
This case, has drawn attention to workplace safety issues in the region, with the financial dimensions of the alleged exploitation—possibly involving promises of career benefits or other gains—under active review as part of the broader probe.
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