Nashik : A massive controversy has erupted in Maharashtra’s Nashik after multiple women employees of IT major Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) alleged sexual harassment and attempts at religious conversion at the workplace by their team leaders. In the FIRs, the employees were accused of molesting the women and trying to convert them. The alleged incidents, reported by women aged between 18 and 25, are said to have taken place over a period of two to three years.
Maharashtra minister and BJP leader Girish Mahajan said “four to five Muslim company workers and some officers lured the girls by promising them jobs and good salaries”. He claimed that the women were “made to offer namaz and keep roza”. The company, TCS, said in a statement that it maintains a “zero-tolerance policy” and that the employees under probe have been suspended. However, questions remain over why earlier complaints to the HR allegedly went unaddressed.
The case has also triggered political reactions. BJP workers staged protests in Nashik demanding strict action, while its leader, Bandi Sanjay Kumar, calling it a case of corporate jihad, warned that “such warning signs shouldn’t be ignored. Former MP and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi raised concerns over workplace safety and slammed the TCS over its response, which she called “inadequate and casually dismissive.
The case, involving alleged sexual exploitation, religious conversion, molestation, and mental harassment of women employees at a well-known multinational company in Nashik came to light last week. The company has now been identified as TCS and it has issued a statement. At Nashik’s Deolali police station, a case has been registered against two accused of rape, molestation, and harassment.
Complainants allege that five individuals within the company created an atmosphere of religious conversion, which led to tension and conflict at the workplace. Eight women victims have filed complaints, alleging that they were physically harassed at different work locations. They were subjected to comments about their physique and clothing, and also faced remarks which hurt their religious sentiments.
The harassment is said to have continued for two to three years. Victims reportedly claimed they approached the company’s HR earlier, but no action was taken. A case has also been registered against a female HR official from the company’s Pune office. Not just women, a male employee was also allegedly brainwashed and pressured to convert. He was forced to perform specific religious rituals, and consume non-vegetarian food.
ACP Sandeep Mitke on April 10 told news agency ANI, “In Case No 163/2016, the name of the suspected accused is Ashwin Chainani. He was produced before the court today. The court has remanded him to police custody until April 13, 2026. The other six accused individuals are currently in MCR (Magisterial Custody Remand); we intend to take them into police custody after obtaining their transfer warrants.”
We have always ensured the highest standards of safety and wellbeing of our employees at the workplace. As soon as we were made aware of the matter in Nashik, we took swift action. The employees being investigated have been suspended pending enquiry. We are cooperating with the local law enforcement authorities, and any further action will be based on the conclusion of this investigation,” TCS said in a statement.
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