TCS unit Nashik case: Four arrested over alleged religious harassment, police tell court

Police told a court that four men arrested in a case at a TCS unit allegedly forced a 35-year-old colleague to follow Muslim practices. Investigators said the senior analyst was made to wear a religious cap and perform Namaz. Police also said the acts were part of alleged harassment and an attempted conversion.

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A magistrate remanded Tausif Attar, 36, Danish Sheikh, 32, Shahrukh Qureshi, 34, and Raza Rafiq Memon, 35, to fresh police custody until April 29. Police arrested the four again on April 23. The men were produced in court on Friday in a case filed at Mumbainaka police station.

TCS Nashik BPO unit case and police remand details

Prosecutors Kiran Bendbhar and Aniket Avhad asked the court for ten days of custody. Prosecutors said the allegations were serious and needed deeper inquiry. Police said the four had been in judicial custody before the fresh arrest. The case was registered after a complaint from the colleague, who works as a senior analyst.

Sheikh and the other accused were booked under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita provisions. Police cited sections linked to outraging religious feelings and criminal intimidation. Investigators told the court that custodial questioning was needed. Police said it would help gather evidence and check details mentioned in the complaint.

TCS Nashik BPO unit allegations of harassment and religious coercion

As per the complaint, the accused often mocked the colleague’s faith and made insulting remarks about Hindu deities. Police said one incident involved forcing the colleague to wear a Muslim skull cap. The colleague was also made to perform Namaz, police told the court. Investigators said a video was later shared on a WhatsApp employee group.

Police told the court the colleague was also forced to eat non-vegetarian food. Investigators said this was described as part of an attempt to convert the colleague. The remand application also alleged obscene remarks about Hindu women. It mentioned comments about the complainant’s wife and the couple’s inability to have children.

TCS Nashik BPO unit probe, evidence collection, and wider cases

Police said the accused used workplace authority to make the complainant do their tasks. Investigators told the court that false performance reports were sent to the head office. Police also described a clash where two accused allegedly threw an office table fan. Investigators said death threats were also made during that altercation.

Prosecutors said custody was required to identify possible accomplices and recover supporting material. Police also sought to verify claims about black magic advice, as stated in court. A Special Investigation Team is examining nine cases at the Nashik BPO unit. Police said eight employees, including a woman HR manager, were arrested so far.

TCS said it followed a zero-tolerance policy on harassment and coercion of any kind. The company said the accused employees were suspended soon after the allegations became public. TCS also said an initial check of systems and records found no complaints. It said no reports came through official POSH or ethics channels from the Nashik unit.

With inputs from PTI