Religious conversion probe: Nashik court extends custody of four TCS employees to May 2

A Nashik court on Wednesday kept four TCS employees in police custody until May 2. The case concerned an alleged religious conversion of a male colleague. Prosecutors said investigators needed more time to trace money movement. The prosecution also pointed to suspected international links that required further checks.

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The accused were named as Raza Rafiq Memon, 35, Tausif Bilal Attar, 37, Danish Ejaz Sheikh, 32, and Shahrukh Husain Shaukat Qureshi, 34. Police also accused them of sexually harassing some women colleagues. The allegations related to staff at the local unit of the organisation.

TCS employees case: Custody history and SIT probe

An SIT took custody of the four men on April 23 from the Nashik Road Central Jail. The SIT began probing their alleged role in the religious conversion case. Police registered the case at the Mumbai Naka police station. On April 24, the court sent the accused to police custody until April 29.

On Wednesday, the additional chief judicial magistrate granted the prosecution request for more custody. The court extended police custody until May 2. Prosecutors argued that the investigation required follow-up on the money trail. The prosecution also said suspected international links needed detailed verification.

TCS employees case: Charges under BNS

Police booked the four men under sections 75 and 79 of the BNS. These sections covered sexual harassment and acts intended to insult a woman’s modesty. They also faced sections 299 and 302 of the BNS. Those sections related to deliberate acts and intent to wound religious feelings.

TCS employees case: Female accused and in-camera hearing

The case also included two female accused in the sexual harassment and religious conversion matter. On Tuesday, a court extended judicial custody of operations manager Ashwini Chainani until May 5. Public prosecutor Ajay Misar sought time to present the government side. The court accepted the request as Ajay Misar was new to the case.

Ajay Misar replaced Kiran Bendbhar in the matter. The proceedings were being conducted in-camera. TCS had stated that "it has a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of coercion or misconduct and is focused on supporting employees and ensuring a safe and respectful workplace across all locations.\" The company also said, \"It continues to extend full cooperation to the law enforcement agencies so that the matter is investigated thoroughly, transparently and brought to a rightful conclusion.\"

With inputs from PTI