One of the key accused in the controversial Nashik TCS case, Nida Khan, has been taken into custody by Nashik Police from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, officials said on Thursday.
Khan has been named in the case linked to allegations of sexual harassment and hurting religious sentiments at a Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) facility in Nashik. Police said further legal action is underway.
The case has triggered a wider political and administrative response in Maharashtra, with the state government constituting a fact-finding panel and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis calling the allegations a “very serious matter”. The investigation has also drawn attention after the CM said the government would probe whether there was any organised “corporate jihad” angle behind the incident.
Court had rejected anticipatory bail plea
Khan’s custody comes days after a local court dismissed her anticipatory bail plea. During the hearing, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) placed details related to the case before the court.
The prosecution opposed the plea, arguing that the allegations were serious in nature. Earlier, on April 20, the court had also refused to grant interim protection to Khan.
Police have already arrested five accused in connection with the matter and secured their custody for investigation.
According to officials, nine FIRs have been registered so far. One case was lodged at Deolali Camp police station, while the remaining eight were filed at Mumbai Naka police station.
Safi Shaikh and Raza Memon are among the other key accused named in the probe.
Maharashtra government orders deeper probe
Amid the controversy, a four-member Fact Finding Committee was formed to examine allegations related to religious conversion and sexual harassment.
Speaking to ANI earlier, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the government was conducting a detailed probe into the incident.
“The incident which has occurred in Nashik TCS is a very serious matter. I would like to thank TCS for taking cognisance of the matter. The TCS chief has condemned it, and they are cooperating with the police. We are trying to get to the root of the incident. We are probing the matter. If it emerges as corporate jihad, we will find its root,” he said.