TCS Nashik sexual harassment case: court remands two accused to police custody till 18 April

A court in Nashik remanded two men in a Tata Consultancy Services case to police custody till April 18. Police linked the case to alleged sexual harassment and claims of forcible religious conversion at the TCS unit. The order came on Thursday after the two accused were produced before the judge.

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Raza Rafiq Memon, 35, and Shafi Bikhan Sheikh, 36, were arrested again on Wednesday. The fresh arrests followed earlier judicial custody in a connected case. On Thursday, the court granted a two-day police remand. Police booked the two under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 74, 75 and 79.

Tata Consultancy Services Nashik case: sections and arrests

Section 74 deals with outraging a woman’s modesty. Section 75 covers sexual harassment. Section 79 refers to words, gestures, acts, or objects meant to insult a woman’s modesty. Police said seven employees have been arrested across nine registered cases. Those held include six men from the Nashik TCS unit and a woman HR manager.

Earlier this week, police formed a special investigation team to examine multiple complaints. Eight women employees have alleged mental and sexual harassment by senior colleagues. The women also claimed the human resources department ignored their complaints. Some complainants further alleged attempts at forced conversion and actions that hurt religious sentiments.

Tata Consultancy Services Nashik allegations: company and NCW response

TCS said on Sunday that it has followed a zero-tolerance approach for a long time. The company said harassment and coercion of any kind are not acceptable. TCS also said employees allegedly involved in sexual harassment at the Nashik office have been suspended. The company statement came as police registered more cases.

A day later, Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran called the reports serious. N Chandrasekaran said, "the complaints and allegations emerging from the Nashik office of TCS were gravely concerning and anguishing, and a thorough investigation was underway under Chief Operating Officer Arathi Subramanian to establish the facts and identify individuals responsible for the situation.\" The National Commission for Women also formed a fact-finding committee.

Tata Consultancy Services Nashik case: police warning on victim identity

City police also issued a warning on Thursday about victim privacy. Police said some news channels and social media accounts were sharing content that may expose complainants. Police said revealing the identity of any victim woman is a crime. Police added that such disclosure causes intense distress to victims and families.

With inputs from PTI