Nashik: A key accused in the alleged sexual harassment and religious coercion case at the Nashik unit of Tata Consultancy Services was arrested on Thursday, police said. Nida Khan was held in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar with the assistance of the local police and the city crime branch, according to Nashik Police Commissioner Sandeep Karnik.

Khan is named as an accused in Deolali Camp police station crime register number 156/26. The arrest comes amid an ongoing Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into multiple allegations of molestation, harassment and religious coercion involving employees at the TCS Nashik office.

Police said the SIT has so far registered nine FIRs and arrested eight persons, including a female operations manager, in connection with the case. The allegations include sexual harassment, mental harassment, hurting religious sentiments and attempts at forced religious conversion.

Investigators had been searching for Khan in different parts of Maharashtra before tracing her to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. According to the FIR, she allegedly targeted employees through a WhatsApp group and pressured women staff members to pray and consume non-vegetarian food. She is also accused of advising female employees to dress and behave according to Islamic traditions.

Some complainants alleged they were pressured into adopting religious practices, including offering prayers, changing dietary habits and using religious symbols.

Why is the TCS Nashik case drawing attention?

The case has triggered significant attention due to the serious allegations involving workplace harassment and alleged religious coercion at a major IT company. Police said Khan has been booked under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) related to sexual harassment and defamation.

She also faces charges under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Police said the complainant belongs to a Scheduled Caste community and alleged that Khan continued religious coercion despite being aware of her background.

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On April 18, Khan approached a Nashik court seeking anticipatory bail and interim protection from arrest, citing her pregnancy. However, the court rejected her anticipatory bail plea on May 2, paving the way for her arrest.

The SIT investigation into the TCS Nashik harassment case is continuing, and officials said further action will depend on evidence collected during the probe.

With PTI inputs