TCS Sexual Harassment, Forced Conversion Case: Nashik Court Grants Bail to Five Accused

A Nashik sessions court has granted bail to five accused in the alleged sexual harassment and forced religious conversion case linked to Tata Consultancy Services' (TCS) Nashik unit, observing that the investigation is substantially complete and the chargesheet has already been filed.

Additional Sessions Judge Amit Vinayak Kharkar allowed the bail pleas of Raza Rafiq Memon, Asif Aftab Ansari, Shahrukh Hussain Shaukat Qureshi, Shafi Bhikan Shaikh, and Tausif Bilal Attar on July 30 in connection with multiple FIRs registered at Mumbai Naka Police Station. The accused had been in judicial custody for more than three months after their arrests in April.

According to the prosecution, the accused and the complainant worked at the TCS facility in Nashik. Police alleged that Memon made sexually coloured remarks, inappropriately touched the woman, sought sexual favours, and insulted her religion while glorifying his own. The remaining accused allegedly supported his actions.

The prosecution opposed bail, arguing that the accused exploited the victim's financial vulnerability, forcing her to tolerate a hostile workplace. Defence counsel Rahul Kasliwal countered that the alleged remarks, even if accepted, amounted to "light hearted banter."

The court noted that the chargesheet had been filed, the investigation was practically complete, and there was no serious apprehension that the accused would threaten witnesses or tamper with evidence if released. Bail was granted subject to strict conditions, including weekly attendance at the police station, a ban on contacting the complainant or witnesses, and restrictions on entering the complainant's workplace or residential area.

The case forms part of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into nine FIRs alleging sexual harassment, attempted forced conversion, hurting religious sentiments, molestation, and mental harassment of employees at the TCS Nashik unit. Earlier, another Nashik court granted bail to co-accused Nida Khan and Tausif Attar in a separate FIR, while denying relief to Danish Shaikh. TCS has maintained its zero tolerance policy against harassment and coercion and said the employees named in the case were suspended pending investigation.