A woman in the TCS Nashik sexual harassment and transgenderism case told investigators that she was repeatedly asked to watch videos of a Pakistani preacher and other religious speakers for allegedly influencing her faith.
The 23-year-old complainant alleged that the accused introduced her to Islamic teachings through videos of Pakistani cleric Tariq Jameel and sermons of controversial preacher Zakir Naik, news agency PTI reported.
These allegations were detailed in the chargesheet filed by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which was formed by the Maharashtra government after several women employees of a company… The BPO unit associated with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in Nashik has accused the co-workers of sexual exploitation, religious coercion, sexual harassment and mental harassment.
Read also | Inside the TCS Nashik case: A deep dive into the allegations, arrests and unanswered questions
“Stop listening to Bhagwan’s songs”
The charge sheet relates to a case registered at Deolali Camp Police Station against Danish Sheikh and Tauseef Attar Nidaa Khan. The complainant alleged that Sheikh, who was married, sexually exploited her by promising her marriage while encouraging her to stay away from Hindu religious practices.
The sheikh said to her: “Do not be afraid, trust me, God is with us. Stop listening to him.” Bhagwan Songs and going to the temple. “Your stress will decrease,” he was quoted as saying by PTI, as he allegedly advised her to recite Praise She seeks forgiveness through Islamic prayers, claiming that it will relieve her anxiety.
The complainant told investigators that Sheikh asked the other defendants, Taseef Attar and Nidaa Khan, to provide her with the necessary information. Information about Islam. She claimed that Attar ordered her to search for videos of Zakir Naik and Pakistani Islamic scholar Dr. Israr Ahmed on YouTube and listen to their speeches.
“Slowly I started to believe”
The indictment says she was also introduced to Islamic concepts including heaven (sky), Jahanum (Hell), Sacrificial (Sacrifice) and Bakri Eid Zamzam water. The complainant said in her statement: “I was convinced that if I accepted the Islamic religion, the psychological pressure would reduce. I slowly began to believe in these things.”
The chargesheet also alleges that Shaikh had access to the woman’s bank account details and UPI PIN and was aware of the funds in her accounts.
Read also | SIT files second chargesheet in Nashik TCS case
The SIT investigation is expanding, and more accused are being named
Apart from the three accused, the charge sheet names AIMIM founder Matin Patel, from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, alleging that he sheltered Nida Khan during her absconding despite knowing that her anticipatory bail application was rejected.
the The SIT’s first charge sheet, filed in May, includes statements from 106 witnesses, including the complainant, her mother, TCS employees, members of the company’s POSH committee and investigating officers.
The investigation later expanded, with the Special Investigation Team filing a second set of chargesheets linked to eight FIRs registered at the Mumbai Naka police station. The accused in the nine cases include Danish Sheikh, Tauseef Attar, Nida Khan, Raza Memon, Shahrukh Qureshi, Shafi Sheikh, Asif Aftab Ansari and Ashwini Ashok Chainani. All of them are currently in judicial custody.
Nine employees have filed separate complaints in this case.
Allegations against Nida Khan
Nida Khan was specifically accused of targeting employees through a WhatsApp group, pressuring them to pray and eat non-vegetarian food, and advising female employees to dress and behave according to Islamic traditions, according to the FIR.
A Nashik court recently postponed the hearing on the bail applications of Nida Khan, Danish Sheikh and Tauseef Attar to June 12. Police said the investigation is still ongoing.
What TCS said
TCS has suspended the employees accused in the case. In a statement issued on April 17, the company said CEO K Krithivasan said, “TCS is committed to the highest standards of employee care and corporate conduct. We remain fully committed to the safety, dignity and well-being of every employee… We have a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of coercion or misconduct.”
He added: “We are focused on supporting our employees and ensuring a safe and respectful workplace at all our sites. We continue to provide full cooperation with law enforcement agencies until the matter is investigated thoroughly and transparently and a correct conclusion is reached.”
