Nashik TCS case: Five accused get bail as court says investigation is nearly complete

Five accused in Nashik TCS sexual harassment case released on bail (Representational image)

Months after the forcible conversion case was reported at the Nashik unit of IT company TCS, Nashik court observed that the chargesheet had been filed and the investigation was practically complete.

A court has granted bail to five accused in the sexual harassment, and Additional Sessions Judge Amit Vinayak Kharkar allowed the pleas of Raza Rafiq Memon, Asif Aftab Ansari, Shahrukh Hussain Shaukat Qureshi, Shafi Bhikan Shaikh and Tausif Bilal Attar on July 30. They were granted bail in connection with multiple FIRs registered at Mumbai Naka police station in Nashik, as per PTI.

The court also said that there was no serious apprehension that the accused would threaten witnesses or tamper with evidence if released.

According to the prosecution, the accused and the victim worked at TCS in Nashik. The police have alleged that Raza Rafiq Memon made sexually coloured remarks, touched the victim inappropriately, demanded sexual favours, and belittled her religion while glorifying his own. The other accused allegedly supported his actions, it added.

The prosecution, while arguing in the court, said that the accused took undue advantage of the victim's poor financial condition, which forced her to endure a toxic work environment, as per PTI.

However, the defence, represented by advocate Rahul Kasliwal, claimed the alleged remarks, even if taken at face value, were "light hearted banter" in the office.

The court, after hearing the prosecution and the defendant, acknowledged that the accused has been behind bars for over three months.

Court orders victim released on bail to visit the police station every week

The court said, "The chargesheet has been filed. Investigation is practically completed. There is no serious apprehension that the accused, if released on bail, would threaten the prosecution witnesses or tamper with the evidence," as cited by PTI.

The court, while allowing their pleas, imposed several conditions, including visiting the police station every Saturday between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm until the trial concludes.

Moreover, the accused have been prohibited from entering the workplace and residential vicinity of the informant, contacting the informant and witnesses, or any individual associated with the case.

SIT probe still on

The SIT is probing a total of nine cases registered in connection with the alleged exploitation, attempted forceful conversion, hurting religious sentiments, molestation, and mental harassment of female employees at the TCS unit.

TCS has clarified that it has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards harassment and coercion of any form for a long time, and the employees allegedly involved in sexual harassment at the Nashik office have been suspended.

(With inputs from PTI)