Operations at the business process outsourcing (BPO) facility of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in Maharashtra’s Nashik have been temporarily suspended amid a massive row over sexual abuse and forced conversion cases, with employees instructed on Thursday to work from home until further notice.
The Nashik centre came under scrutiny after a major scandal surfaced involving allegations of sexual abuse, mental harassment, and religious coercion, prompting a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe.
The Allegations
| Number of Complainants | At least 9 women employees |
| Nature of Allegations | Sexual harassment, forced conversion, religious coercion |
| Time Period | Dating back to 2022 (years-long pattern) |
| Workplace Behaviour | Inappropriate touching, lewd remarks, stalking, unwanted advances |
According to Nashik Police Commissioner Sandeep Karnik, the investigation suggests that seven male accused operated like an organised gang within the workplace, allegedly targeting female employees.
“The seven male staffers are co-accused in most of the cases, indicating they acted as a group,” he said.
FIRs and Arrests
| Total FIRs | 9 (including one by a male employee alleging religious harassment) |
| Arrested | 8 (7 men, 1 woman) |
| Absconding | 1 woman |
| Positions of Authority | Some accused were team leaders who misused their roles |
Arrested male accused:
- Danish Sheikh
- Tausif Attar
- Raza Memon
- Shahrukh Qureshi
- Shafi Sheikh
- Asif Aftab Ansar
- Shahrukh Sheikh
Role of HR and Senior Officials
An officer added that one of the female accused, an HR head, allegedly discouraged a victim from filing a complaint, telling her that “these things happen”, and sided with the accused.
One FIR also points to inaction by a senior official, effectively enabling the accused.
Religious Harassment and Forced Conversion
Multiple complaints also allege:
- Derogatory remarks against Hindu deities
- Pressure to participate in religious practices against will
- Attempts at forced conversion, including being compelled to consume non-vegetarian food
Some FIRs indicate that both forms of abuse—sexual misconduct and religious targeting—often occurred simultaneously within the workplace.
Police Investigation
- Agencies involved: State Intelligence Department (SID), Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), National Investigation Agency (NIA)
- Purpose: Probe possible larger links or funding angles
- Support for victims: A woman Deputy Commissioner of Police and female personnel were deployed to facilitate interaction with employees and encourage complaints
Karnik noted that the first complainant was initially hesitant, but after counselling and support from police, more victims came forward.
TCS and Tata Sons Response
| TCS Action | Temporarily shut BPO operations; staff asked to work from home |
| Tata Sons Chairman | N Chandrasekaran termed allegations “gravely concerning and anguishing” |
| Investigation Lead | TCS COO Arathi Subramanian to establish facts and identify those responsible |
On Monday, Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran termed the allegations of sexual harassment “gravely concerning and anguishing” and announced that a thorough investigation is underway under TCS Chief Operating Officer Arathi Subramanian.
NCW Intervention
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken note of the case on its own and constituted a fact-finding committee to conduct an on-site inquiry at the TCS BPO unit on April 18.
