TCS has suspended operations at its Nashik BPO centre, officals said on Thursday.
NASHIK: Employees at Tata Consultancy Services’ Nashik office have been instructed to work from home amid allegations of sexual harassment and religious conversion, officials said on Thursday.Nashik Police have escalated the probe into alleged sexual harassment and forced religious conversion at a TCS office, writing to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and state intelligence units.
Police commissioner Sandeep Karnik said investigators were responding to concerns circulating on social media about possible extremist links or foreign funding behind the alleged misconduct.He clarified that while all angles were being examined, there was no evidence so far to support such claims. According to him, agencies have been approached only to ensure a “comprehensive and coordinated review” of the case.Also read: TCS Nashik case snowballs: Accused acted like organised gang to target female colleagues, say cops
‘Organised pattern’ suspected among accused staff
Officials said nine FIRs have been registered based on complaints from employees, including allegations of sexual harassment, intimidation and attempts at religious coercion.Six employees and an assistant general manager have been arrested so far, while another woman accused remains on the run.Police said several of the accused held supervisory roles and allegedly used their positions to target junior colleagues.Investigators also noted that some individuals named in the cases appear repeatedly across complaints, suggesting what they described as a coordinated pattern of behaviour inside the office.
Victims came forward after initial hesitation, says police
Commissioner Karnik said the first complainant initially hesitated to file a formal complaint due to fear of repercussions.He said support teams, including women police officers, were later deployed to the workplace to speak to employees and encourage them to report incidents without fear.Following these interactions, more staff members came forward with similar allegations, leading to additional FIRs being registered.
HR role under scanner, allegations of inaction
Among the accused are also women employees, including a senior HR official, who is alleged to have discouraged a complainant from pursuing her grievance.Police said she is accused of minimising the complaint internally and allegedly failing to escalate it appropriately.A court has remanded the operations manager to judicial custody, while investigators continue to examine whether there was institutional negligence in handling complaints.
‘Targeted financially vulnerable’
Police sources said the accused appeared to have functioned in coordination within the organisation, particularly those linked to the training division.They allegedly identified vulnerable employees—especially those facing financial or personal difficulties—and targeted them.Officials have described the pattern as resembling an internal organised group rather than isolated incidents.
Court remand and custody developments
An assistant general manager arrested in the case has been sent to judicial custody after her police remand ended.Prosecutors told the court she was uncooperative during questioning and could potentially influence witnesses, prompting the request for continued custody.Investigators are also tracking another female accused who is currently on the run.(With inputs from ANI, PTI)
