TCS Nashik Sexual Harassment row: The high-profile sexual harassment and religious conversion case at the Nashik unit of the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has taken a dramatic turn on Thursday, after the investigating police personnel claimed to have found links between the HR Manager, Nida Khan and Dr Shaheen, a person linked to cases concerning the Red Fort bomb blast in Delhi. 

[caption id="attachment_2873" align="alignnone" width="1200"] HR Manager Nida Khan[/caption]

Sources within the investigation told the media that the name of one of the accused has reportedly been connected to an individual associated with the Red Fort Blast inquiry. While police officials have still not confirmed the link, the development has prompted the nation's security agencies to treat the case with heightened sensitivity, particularly from a national security standpoint. 

TCS Nashik Sexual Harassment row: HR Manager Khan at large

The spotlight in the case has now been shifted to HR Manager Nida Khan, who is accused of reportedly ignoring sexual harassment complaints made to her by the victims. Khan, as per police, is still at large, and is suspected to be hiding in the Bhiwandi area of Mumbai. The police said they have deployed sleuths across multiple locations and are conducting raids continuously to trace her whereabouts. 

Investigators have meanwhile cautioned that Khan’s link to Dr Shaheen remains under verification. 

[caption id="attachment_2874" align="alignnone" width="1200"] One of the accused arrested in TCS Nashik case[/caption]

Probe expands beyond workplace conduct

According to the police, the case is no longer being treated as a routine corporate misconduct case. The probe in the case has now expanded beyond workplace misconduct, officials said, adding that coordinated efforts are being made by multiple agencies, including the Special Investigation Team (SIT) and Central authorities too. Officials said that so far, nine cases have been registered in connection with the incident.  Several complainants who fell prey to the atrocity claimed they were pressured to remain silent, raising concerns over institutional accountability. Meanwhile, the police are examining records dating back to the year 2022 to determine why earlier complaints had not been escalated. Khan has been booked under numerous charges, including criminal intimidation and outraging modesty, and additional allegations against her are still being reviewed. Also read: TCS Nashik row: Accused targeted financially vulnerable employees for religious conversion; NCW sets up fact-finding panel