TCS Nashik Case: Male accused acted like organised gang to target female colleagues, says police

In light of the recent sexual harassment and religious conversion case involving employees of IT major Tata Consultancy Services, the Nashik police have said that the seven male accused were operating like an 'organized gang.'

Police have registered nine FIR's in connection with case, as of now.

Explaining the role of the two female accused, one of them is absconding, Nashik Police Commissioner Sandeep Karnik said on Wednesday that the arrested operations and HR head of the unit had allegedly discouraged a victim from submitting a complaint, saying "these things happen" and sided with the accused, reported PTI.

In a related development, the Nashik court on Wednesday remanded the female operations manager to judicial custody till April 28.

Responding to reports speculating involvement of any extremist organisation or funding from abroad to the accused, the police commissioner said a thorough investigation is underway, and the police have written to the SID, ATS and NIA.

"As and when we get some evidence, we will be able to come to a conclusion about the same," he added.

Earlier this week, the police formed a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the complaints lodged by eight female employees, who claimed that senior colleagues mentally and sexually harassed them, while the human resources department ignored their complaints.

Police have arrested eight employees of the firm, including seven men and the female operations manager. Another female employee is absconding, according to investigators.

The male accused are identified as Danish Sheikh, Tausif Attar, Raza Memon, Shahrukh Qureshi, Shafi Sheikh, Asif Aftab Ansar, and Shahrukh Sheikh.

Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran had termed sexual harassment as "gravely concerning and anguishing", and announced that a thorough investigation is underway under TCS's Chief Operating Officer Arathi Subramanian to establish the facts and identify individuals responsible for the situation.

PTI reported that Karnik said, the male accused appeared across multiple cases, suggesting coordinated misconduct. "One female accused is named in a single case of religious harassment, while another, an HR head, is accused of discouraging a victim from filing a complaint.” "Police are conducting a thorough investigation and have contacted agencies like the SID, ATS, and NIA to examine any possible wider links," he added.

(With PTI inputs)