Nashik IT company horror: Victims made to offer namaz, eat beef, sexually harassed and were forced to convert, says minister in sexual harassment case

A multinational Information Technology (IT) company in Maharashtra's Nashik has come under fire after eight women employees lodged complaints alleging mental and sexual harassment over the past few years, reported Times of India. Maharashtra minister Girish Mahajan alleged that the women were forced to offer namaz, eat beef and attempts were made to convert them, the TOI report said. Police have arrested seven people, including an assistant general manager (HR). Police said the HR official was arrested for allegedly abetting sexual harassment by failing to act on a complaint raised by a woman employee against colleagues.

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A special investigation team is now probing the allegations levelled by women employees that has sent shockwaves across the city. “Some senior employees, including women, did not take any action despite complaints. A case has been filed against them. The inquiry is underway. I think the involvement of some more people will also come to light in this,” the minister was quoted as saying.


"Some senior employees, including women, did not take any action despite complaints. A case has been filed against them. The inquiry is underway. I think the involvement of some more people will also come to light in this," he said.

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Racket to trap women

The minister also revealed that a probe into Nashik IT company case has uncovered a wider pattern, alleging that women might have been victims of a racket involved in luring girls with a promise of jobs and later blackmailing them with their photographs and videos. “Authorities suspect this may not be an isolated incident and could reflect a larger trend within major corporate environments,” he said.

TCS responds

IT major Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) on Sunday said that the firm has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards harassment and coercion of any form for a long time, confirming the suspension of employees allegedly involved in sexual harassment at its Nashik office.

The company, in a statement, said, "TCS has a long-standing zero-tolerance policy towards harassment and coercion of any form. We have always ensured the highest standards of safety and well-being of our employees at the workplace. As soon as we were made aware of the matter in Nashik, we took swift action."

The employees being investigated have been suspended pending enquiry, the company's spokesperson said, adding that the firm is cooperating with local law enforcement authorities and any further action will be based on the conclusion of this investigation.

Multiple FIRs registered

Police have filed nine FIRs since March 26, covering charges such as sexual harassment, breach of promise to marry, and hurting religious sentiments. According to officials, the alleged incidents occurred over a period spanning from 2022 to 2026. In one of the cases, investigators claim that an HR official failed to act on a sexual harassment complaint, which allowed the accused employees to continue their misconduct.

“Had this HR official taken note of the complaint, the other crimes would not have taken place. The ignorance of the HR official only encouraged the accused to indulge in sexual harassment of the victims,” assistant public prosecutor Aniket Avhad said.

However, defence lawyer Baba Sayyad opposed further custodial remand, arguing that the police had not recovered any material evidence from the accused.

Assistant commissioner of Police (Crime) Sandeep Mitke, who is heading the SIT, said more arrests and custodial actions are likely. “We will seek the court’s production warrant to secure custody of these five accused and arrest them in the other cases,” he said. “We are also searching for one more suspect, whose whereabouts are not known yet,” he added.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis praised the police action in the case. “The way sexual exploitation was carried out and religious sentiments were hurt at an IT firm using pressure is shocking. I would like to congratulate the police for acting swiftly and exposing the matter,” he said. Police said the SIT continues to investigate all nine cases registered against employees of the firm, which employs around 300 people in Nashik.