TCS Nashik Case: Police seek help of SID, ATS, NIA; National Commission for Women team to visit office

Mumbai: As investigations into the alleged sexual harassment and religious conversion case involving employees of IT major Tata Consultancy Services, the Nashik police has sought the help of the State Intelligence Department (SID), Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and National Investigation Agency (NIA) even as a team from the National Commission for Women (NCW) is slated to send a fact-finding team.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT), which has been tasked to probe the issue thoroughly, has found wider ramifications in the case and hence help of multiple agencies has been sought. 

"The police have provided all case details to SID, ATS and NIA.  Only after receiving inputs from them can we determine whether the accused had any international links or external support for such unlawful activities,” Nashik Police Commissioner Sandeep Karnik told reporters. 

“The police had registered nine FIRs between March 26 and April 3—one at Deolali  Camp and eight at Mumbai Naka police stations—based on complaints by nine junior employees alleging sexual abuse, harassment and religious coercion,” he said. 

Because of the sensitive nature of the case and that involves the flourishing  IT sector, the Nashik police is regularly briefing Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is also the state Home Minister and Director General of Police Sadan.

Meanwhile, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo moto cognisance of media reports about the incidents involving TCS Nashik BPO.

“The reports indicate that an initial inquiry, triggered by a complaint relating to religious practices, has brought to light disturbing allegations involving sexual harassment, rape, and attempts at forced religious conversion of female employees by certain individuals in supervisory roles,” NCW Media Advisor Sanna Kaushal said.

The four-member team comprising Justice Sadhna Jadhav, retired Judge of Bombay High Court, BK Sinha, former Director General of Police, Haryana, Monika Arora, Supreme Court Advocate; and Lilabati, Senior Co-ordinator, NCW, will visit Nashik and the incident site on Friday.

The committee will conduct an on-the-spot inquiry at the TCS facility in Nashik and any other relevant locations, examine the circumstances leading to the incident, assess the response of concerned authorities, and interact with victims, police officials, company representatives, and other relevant stakeholders to gather evidence.

It will identify lapses, if any, recommend appropriate action against those found responsible, and suggest remedial measures to prevent recurrence of such incidents and to strengthen safety mechanisms for women in workplaces.