No Shield For Nida Khan In TCS Case: Why Nashik Court Rejected Pre-Arrest Bail Despite Pregnancy Plea

In a significant setback for Nida Khan, a prime accused in the alleged Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) harassment and religious conversion scandal, a Nashik sessions court on Saturday rejected her anticipatory bail application. The court’s decision follows intense arguments by the prosecution, which emphasised that the gravity of the offences necessitates her custodial interrogation. Despite Khan citing her two-month pregnancy as grounds for pre-arrest protection, the bench aligned with the Special Investigation Team (SIT), noting that her role in the case remains central to the ongoing probe.

Allegations of Coercion and Religious Influence

The FIR against Nida Khan contains startling claims regarding the workplace environment at the IT major’s Nashik unit. According to the prosecution, Khan allegedly

pressured female colleagues to adopt Islamic traditions, including advice on dressing and dietary habits. Detailed evidence presented by Special Public Prosecutor Ajay Misar suggested that Khan influenced one complainant by providing a burqa and hijab, teaching religious prayers, and installing Islamic learning applications on her mobile phone.

Further allegations include a planned name change for a victim to “Hania” and a strategic plot to move her to Malaysia for a job. Investigators believe Khan’s custodial interrogation is vital to recovering her mobile phone and diaries, which may reveal external funding sources and broader links to conversion networks in Malegaon and Malaysia.

The SIT Probe and Multiple FIRs

The Nashik Police’s Special Investigation Team is currently probing nine separate FIRs related to exploitation, molestation, and forced conversion at the TCS facility. So far, eight individuals have been arrested, including a female operations manager.

On the same day Khan’s bail was rejected, the court extended the police custody of four other co-accused—Raza Rafiq Memon, Tausif Bilal Attar, Danish Ejaz Sheikh, and Shahrukh Husain Shaukat Qureshi—until 5 May.

Zero Tolerance and Ongoing Search

TCS has maintained a firm stance throughout the controversy, reiterating its “zero-tolerance policy” towards any form of harassment or coercion. The company has already suspended employees allegedly involved in the scandal.

As Nida Khan remains absconding, three police teams are reportedly conducting searches across various parts of Maharashtra to secure her arrest. With her legal shield now removed, the SIT is expected to intensify its efforts to uncover the full extent of what it describes as a deeply entrenched operation within the corporate office.