As the row over religious conversion and harassment at the Nashik facility of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) escalated into a full-blown controversy, the company has suspended Nida Khan, the alleged mastermind in the case.
In a letter addressed to the 26-year-old former employee, an operations assistant at the Nashik facility, TCS said it has decided to place her on suspension with immediate effect.
The letter also directed her not to come to any of the company’s offices and communicate with any employee regarding this matter.
“This is to inform you that the Company has become aware of a serious matter reported against you… Considering the seriousness of the matter as reported and that you are currently unable to perform your official duties, the Company has decided to place you on suspension with immediate effect until further communication is made and a decision on this matter is made by the management,” it said, adding, “Your access to the TCS network has been temporarily cancelled.”
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Nida Khan is among the eight employees who have been accused of rape, sexual harassment, religious coercion and other types of harassment of their co-workers at TCS’ Nashik BPO. Seven of the accused are in custody while police claim Nida Khan is absconding.
He added: “You have been directed not to discuss/talk in any way about this matter with any other employee and to maintain strict confidentiality in this matter. Any failure on your part to cooperate in this matter will result in disciplinary action.”
Nida is said to work as a telecaller at a BPO run by TCS in Nashik, and is part of the sales team. She joined BPO in December 2021 and is not among its senior staff.
In a separate statement, TCS clarified that Nida Khan, who was repeatedly called the ‘HR Director of TCS’, was neither an HR director nor a recruitment officer.
“She served as an assistant in the operation and did not assume any leadership responsibilities,” TCS said.
Who is Nida Khan and the charges against her?
Nashik police have described Nida Khan as the “fugitive mastermind” behind the alleged religious conversion attempts.
Also Read: ‘Pregnant’ and ‘Not HR’: What is the Nashik BPO case that Nida Khan’s family is accused of
Khan, a commerce graduate currently pursuing an MBA, had moved to Mumbai in January to be with her husband. Her lawyer is currently filing an anticipatory bail application.
Her family rejected these allegations and explained that she was not a fugitive and that she was in Mumbai and awaiting her first child. The family alleged crime and digital harassment based on mere allegations.
The family also said that Khan does not work in the human resources team at BPO, as widely reported by TV channels and social media.
