The high-profile row over sexual harassment allegations linked to Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) branch in Nashik, Maharashtra was revived again on Thursday after a woman alleged that she was repeatedly encouraged to watch videos by a Pakistani preacher in a bid to influence her faith.
Citing Pakistani preacher Tariq Jameel and the sermons of controversial Islamic speaker Zakir Naik, the 23-year-old woman said she was discouraged from following her faith, and that the accused introduced her to Islamic teachings through religious videos and speeches, according to the chargesheet filed by the Special Investigation Team (SIT).
The Special Investigation Team was formed by the Maharashtra government after several women employees at a BPO unit linked to TCS in Nashik accused co-workers of sexual exploitation, religious coercion, sexual harassment and mental harassment.
The woman’s allegations are not the first to have surfaced in this case. Here are five major allegations connected to the case:
Read also | ‘No Bhagwan songs, don’t go to temple’: Woman says she watched videos of Pakistani preacher in TCS Nashik case
1. The alleged promise of marriage and pressure to abandon Hindu practices
The charge sheet relates to a case registered at Deolali Camp police station against Danish Sheikh, Tauseef Attar and Nida Khan. According to the complainant, Sheikh – who is married – allegedly sexually exploited the woman by promising her marriage and at the same time encouraged her to shun Hindu customs and practices.
Sheikh allegedly told her: “Don’t be afraid, trust me, God is with us. Stop listening to Bhagwan’s songs and go to the temple; your stress will go down,” according to the charge sheet.
He also allegedly advised her to recite tasbeeh and seek forgiveness through Islamic prayers, claiming that it would help ease her anxiety.
2. The complainant says that she was introduced to Islamic concepts
According to the indictment, the woman was gradually introduced to several Islamic concepts and traditions, including Jannah (Heaven), Jahannam (Hell), the sacrifice, Bakri Eid, and 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 indictment also alleges that Shaikh had access to information relating to the woman’s bank accounts and UPI PIN and was aware of the funds available in her accounts.
Read also | BPO case: SIT is questioning the company over alleged links with Nida Khan
3. The FIR accuses her colleague Nida Khan of influencing employees
The FIR leveled specific allegations against Nida Khan, accusing her of using a WhatsApp group to target employees and pressure them to pray and eat non-vegetarian food.
She also allegedly advised female employees to dress and behave in accordance with Islamic traditions.
Meanwhile, a Nashik court recently postponed the hearing on bail applications filed by Nida Khan, Denmark Sheikh and Tauseef Attar to June 12. Police said the investigation is still ongoing.
4. A family complaint sparked the investigation
The case came to light after the family of the 23-year-old employee went to Devlali police station on March 26, four days after Eid. According to the complaint, her relatives became upset after they noticed that she had begun fasting during Ramadan and wearing the hijab.
When questioned by her family, the woman said she was in a relationship with her colleague Danish Sheikh, 31, who promised to marry her.
Nashik Police Commissioner Sandeep Karnik said the woman was initially reluctant to approach the police.
“Since she was afraid to file a complaint, our team reached out to her and gave her the courage to do so,” he told HT.
Read also | Inside the TCS Nashik case: A deep dive into the allegations, arrests and unanswered questions
5. The wife’s letter exposed the accused, and the Special Investigations Squad deployed female undercover officers
According to the complaint, the woman received a letter in February from a woman who claimed to be the wife of a Danish sheikh and said the couple had two children. Sheikh allegedly told the complainant, when confronted, that he never intended to marry her.
As the scope of the case widened, Nashik Police Commissioner Sandeep Karnik formed a special investigation team under the leadership of ACP Sandeep Mitke.
The investigators then allegedly sent six policewomen to the BPO unit posing as housekeeping staff through a third-party vendor to collect information without informing TCS authorities.
The undercover operation was launched amid suspicions that the alleged activities extend beyond a single relationship and could involve a wider pattern of misconduct.
