- By Surarika Das
- Fri, 17 Apr 2026 02:52 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
A male employee's remarks have intensified the issue surrounding Tata Consultancy Services' Nashik unit. For the last few days, it has been under close investigation due to significant allegations of sexual harassment and forced religious conversions.
The worker said he was often targeted because of his religious identification. He was repeatedly forced to read the kalma and namaz, and had to wear a skull cap.
According to the male employee, the incident happened in 2022, not long after he joined the team. He said that Danish Sheikh, a coworker, and Tausif Akhtar, his team supervisor, continuously harassed her, put pressure on her with additional work, and made her take part in religious activities. Additionally, she claimed that extremely rude remarks were made about her private life, specifically regarding his childlessness, such as "send your wife."
How Did The Matter Escalate
The situation worsened when Danish Sheikh and Tausif Akhtar's names surfaced in the case. A female employee, age 23, reported being harassed and under pressure to get married. Additionally, the woman said that HR officer Nida Khan and other coworkers tried to influence them by making remarks that provoked religious feelings. Nine FIRs have been filed thus far, and seven suspects have been taken into custody for further investigation.
The woman said that after working nights, she was brought to hotels, made to eat and drink against her will, and made fun of for her religious beliefs. She said that she was forced to pray and wear a skullcap during Eid, and that pictures were taken and posted on the company's group. She was threatened with termination when she objected. Police are looking into the situation right now.
A number of other employees submitted complaints as the situation worsened. Nine FIRs were filed by the police at different points in time (during the investigation between 2023 and 2026) as a result of the issue receiving notice on social media and internal concerns.
Team boss Tausif Akhtar, coworker Danish Sheikh, and HR executive Nida Khan were named in the investigation that followed the initial FIR. They were accused of making religious remarks and applying pressure.
As part of the inquiry, the police have detained seven individuals thus far—two women and five men. Serious accusations against the accused include mental harassment, harming religious sensibilities, and molestation of female employees.