President Murmu on Thursday said that India's progress is deeply connected to its native languages. She stressed that the country’s diverse languages carry a single stream of culture and consciousness at the sixth convocation of the Mahatma Gandhi International Hindi University in Maharashtra's Wardha. हमें सशक्त, आत्मनिर्भर और विकसित भारत का निर्माण करना है। ऐसे भारत का निर्माण भारतीय भाषाओं की आधारशिला पर ही संभव है। ‘राष्ट्रीय शिक्षा नीति’ सहित अनेक प्रयासों के बल पर हमारा देश सही दिशा में अग्रसर है। pic.twitter.com/Zqcb98iEF1 — President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) April 16, 2026 She said, "A strong, self-reliant and developed India can only be built on the foundation of the country's native languages." She also urged people to take pride in Indian languages and said citizens should learn at least one Indian language apart from their mother tongue. Tribute to Gandhi, Bose and language movement Speaking at the sixth convocation of University in Wardha, the President recalled historical efforts to promote Hindi. She said that in 1936, Mahatma Gandhi, along with Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Acharya Kaka Kalelkar, established the Rashtrabhasha Prachar Samiti in Wardha to promote Hindi. She noted that their mother tongues were different, Gujarati, Bengali and Marathi but they recognised Hindi as a unifying language during the freedom struggle. गांधीजी शिक्षा को आत्मनिर्भरता का आधार मानते थे। उन्होंने इस बात पर जोर दिया था कि जो शिक्षा अधिकांश देशवासियों के जीवन की आवश्यकताओं से जुड़ी है, वही सार्थक शिक्षा है। pic.twitter.com/A8xI6eeSaX — President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) April 16, 2026 According to her, "These great souls recognised the power of Hindi as a medium for patriotism and national unity." She also recalled Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's famous call in Hindi: “Give me your blood and I will give you freedom.” Unity through Indian languages President Murmu said India’s languages are interconnected and reflect shared cultural values. She explained that readers of different languages can still connect with literature through translations, citing her own example. "India's soul finds expression in Indian languages and a single stream of culture, sensitivity, and consciousness flows through all our diverse Indian languages," she said. "That is why I or other Odia speakers like me can connect effortlessly with Munshi Premchand's stories or Mahadevi Verma's poems in Hindi while reading their Odia translations. Similarly, Hindi readers connect with Odia litterateurs like Fakir Mohan Senapati, Gopinath Mohanty and Pratibha Ray." President Murmu said, reported PTI. She also referred to the national song Vande Mataram, saying it binds the emotions of Indians through a mix of Sanskrit and Bengali. "Our national song 'Vande Mataram', composed in a mix of Bengali and Sanskrit, binds the emotions of all Indians into one thread." Call for pride in mother tongue and education reform The President urged students to value their linguistic heritage. She said, "I often quote a line from a popular Odia poem, and I find it relevant today - 'Learn as many other languages as you can, but honour your mother tongue." She added that all Indian languages belong to everyone and encouraged people to learn at least one additional Indian language besides their local language, reported the news agency. Murmu also said that India must work to remove remnants of a colonial mindset and revive its knowledge traditions. She stressed that education should connect with people’s lives and needs, echoing Mahatma Gandhi’s views. Language and nation-building President Murmu said that Indian languages should not only be seen as cultural tools but also as mediums for creativity, research and innovation. She said that a developed India must be rooted in its languages and that efforts like the National Education Policy (NEP) are helping move in the right direction. (With PTI Inputs)
16 April,2026 04:51 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBJP national president Nitin Nabin, Union Minister Ram Nath Thakur, and senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi, along with 13 other newly elected Rajya Sabha MPs, took the oath of office on Thursday, PTI reported. Vice-President administers oath Vice-President of India and Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan administered the oath to the 16 newly elected or re-elected members, representing Bihar, Assam, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Telangana. Party-wise composition of MPs Of the 16 MPs, eight are from the BJP and three from its allies, while the remaining five belong to the Congress. Nitin Nabin moves to Upper House After being elected BJP’s national president, Nabin moved to the Upper House following his resignation from the Bihar Legislative Assembly. He took the oath in Hindi amid thumping of desks, the news agency reported. Bihar and Assam representatives take oath Union Minister Ram Nath Thakur, who has been re-elected to the House from Bihar, also took the oath. Upendra Kushwaha (RLM) and Shivesh Kumar (BJP) are among those representing Bihar. From Assam, Terash Gowalla (BJP), Jogen Mohan (BJP), and Pramod Boro (UPP-L) took the oath of office. Members from Chhattisgarh and Haryana Laxmi Verma (BJP) and Phulo Devi Netam (Congress), representing Chhattisgarh, along with Karamvir Singh Boudh (Congress) and Sanjay Bhatia (BJP) from Haryana, also affirmed their allegiance to the Constitution. Telangana, Odisha, Himachal MPs sworn in Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Vem Narendra Reddy, both from the Congress and representing Telangana, were administered the oath. Sujeet Kumar (BJP) from Odisha and Anurag Sharma (Congress) from Himachal Pradesh were also among those who took the oath as Rajya Sabha MPs. Haryana Congress suspends 5 MLAs over cross-voting in Rajya Sabha elections Meanwhile, the opposition Congress in Haryana on Thursday suspended five of its MLAs from the party’s primary membership with immediate effect for allegedly cross-voting during last month’s Rajya Sabha elections, PTI reported. Taking serious note of the violation of organisational discipline, the party suspended the five MLAs from its primary membership for anti-party activities, state Congress chief Rao Narender Singh said. He added that the action was taken following the recommendation of the State Disciplinary Committee and with the approval of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. The party had earlier named five legislators — Naraingarh MLA Shalli Chaudhary, Sadhaura MLA Renu Bala, Punhana MLA Mohammad Illyas, Hathin MLA Mohammad Israil, and Ratia legislator Jarnail Singh — for defying the official party line. (With PTI inputs)
16 April,2026 04:47 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThe Opposition has stepped up coordination efforts to ensure all its MPs are present in Parliament during voting on the delimitation bill. Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Sanjay Raut said that senior leaders have been given responsibility to bring parties together. He noted that Uddhav Thackeray shares good relations with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, and has been asked to coordinate with her to ensure her party’s MPs attend the session and vote against the bill, reported the PTI. Uddhav Thackeray also joined a meeting of opposition leaders through video conferencing as part of these efforts, reported PTI. ‘Government under illusion’: Raut Raut claimed that the government believes MPs from states, such as West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala and Puducherry may skip the session due to elections in their respective states. Rejecting this, he said, “The government is under the illusion. All TMC and DMK MPs and members from Kerala will be in Parliament,” reported the news agency. He added that the opposition has already started working to ensure unity and full attendance. Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Raut said that senior opposition leaders, including Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, have been assigned coordination responsibilities. The Rajya Sabha MP added that Thackeray and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee share cordial relations, and therefore it was decided that Thackeray would speak to Banerjee to ensure that TMC MPs are present in Parliament and vote against the bill, asserting, “this bill won't be allowed to pass.” according to the PTI. Concerns over delimitation and women’s quota The debate comes as the government plans to introduce amendments to the women’s reservation law, also known as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, during a special three-day Parliament session from April 16 to 18. Alongside this, three key bills were introduced: - The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 - The Delimitation Bill, 2026 - The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 These bills propose increasing Lok Sabha seats from 543 to a maximum of 850 to implement 33 per cent reservation for women before the 2029 general elections, based on delimitation using the 2011 Census. They also propose increasing seats in state and Union Territory assemblies., as per the PTI. Why is the opposition concerned over delimitation and women’s quota? Opposition parties, including the Congress, have criticised the move, saying the bills are being used to push delimitation under the cover of women’s reservation. Raut said the government lacks the required two-thirds majority to pass the bill and described it as a political move rather than a genuine effort for women’s empowerment, as per the news agency. The Congress also alleged that the intent behind the bills is “mischievous” and said they should be rejected in their current form. Opposition leaders have maintained that Parliament should not be “hijacked by flawed delimitation bills disguised as women’s reservation.” (With PTI Inputs)
16 April,2026 04:41 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday made a strong pitch for the early implementation of the women’s reservation framework, urging Members of Parliament to extend unanimous support to the proposed constitutional amendments. He emphasised that women voters remain aware of political positions taken on their rights, reported ANI. Speaking during a debate in the Lok Sabha, the Prime Minister said the moment presents a historic opportunity to expand women’s participation in governance and shape the country’s political future. PM Calls It a Historic Opportunity PM Modi described the proposed legislation as a defining moment in India’s parliamentary democracy. He said such opportunities arise rarely and must be utilised to create a lasting legacy, reported ANI. He noted that the idea of women’s reservation has been discussed for decades and has now reached a mature stage. According to him, the evolution of the proposal reflects the strength and adaptability of India’s democratic system. Appeal for Unanimous Support in Parliament The Prime Minister urged all MPs to rise above political differences and support the bill, stating that it is a nation-building exercise involving half of the country’s population. He stressed that Parliament must not allow this opportunity to pass, as the move would bring greater sensitivity and inclusiveness into governance. PM Modi said the legislation would not only influence political representation but also shape the broader direction of the country, reported ANI. Focus on Women’s Role in Governance Highlighting the importance of women’s participation, PM Modi said the bill aims to bring more women into decision-making roles. He described this as a step toward building a more balanced and representative political system, reported ANI. He added that increased representation would contribute to a new political culture and strengthen democratic institutions. Strong Message to Opponents In a pointed remark, PM Modi said that women have not forgotten those who have opposed their rights, underlining the political significance of the issue. He indicated that public memory and voter awareness would play a role in shaping future political outcomes, particularly on matters related to gender equality. Legislative Measures Introduced The government has introduced key legislations, including the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Delimitation Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha. These measures are aimed at facilitating the implementation of women’s reservation in Parliament and state assemblies ahead of the 2029 general elections. Opposition Raises Concerns Over Delimitation While the government has sought broad consensus, Opposition parties have expressed strong reservations, particularly regarding the delimitation exercise linked to the implementation of the reservation policy. As the debate continues, the proposed reforms are expected to remain at the centre of political discussions, with both sides presenting contrasting views on their impact and timing. (With inputs from ANI)
16 April,2026 04:20 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentA controversy erupted around eyewear company Lenskart after a purported internal dress code document went viral on social media, triggering allegations of religious discrimination. The document suggested restrictions on traditional Hindu symbols such as bindi and tilak, while permitting the wearing of hijab under specified conditions. Viral document sparks backlash The document, widely shared online, outlined grooming guidelines for store employees. It stated that bindis and tilaks were “not allowed,” and advised that sindoor, if worn, should be minimal. It also reportedly restricted religious threads such as kalawa. At the same time, the document permitted employees to wear black-coloured hijabs or turbans, with conditions on their style and visibility of branding. It also specified that burkhas were not allowed in stores. The apparent disparity in guidelines drew sharp criticism on social media, with several users questioning the company’s stance on religious expression. Author and activist Shefali Vaidya publicly asked the company to clarify why certain religious symbols were restricted while others were permitted. So I confirmed, this is genuine. This is what @peyushbansal tells his employees, hijab is okay, but bindi/tilak/Kalawa is not, for @Lenskart_com, a company that exists in Hindu majority Bharat, where most of the employees and consumers are Hindu! What do you say to this? This is… https://t.co/jQ2EPdWPJM pic.twitter.com/SWfOajOjpo — Shefali Vaidya. 🇮🇳 (@ShefVaidya) April 15, 2026 Peyush Bansal issues clarification Responding to the controversy, Peyush Bansal, founder and CEO of Lenskart, stated that the viral document did not reflect the company’s current policies. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Bansal said the document was “inaccurate” and represented an outdated internal training note rather than an official HR policy. He emphasised that Lenskart does not impose restrictions on any form of religious expression. Hi, all. I’ve been seeing an inaccurate policy document going viral about Lenskart.I want to speak directly that this document does not reflect our present guidelines.Our policy has no restrictions on any form of religious expression, including bindi and tilak, and we… — Peyush Bansal (@peyushbansal) April 15, 2026 “Our policy has no restrictions on any form of religious expression, including bindi and tilak,” Bansal said, adding that the company’s grooming guidelines have evolved over time. Approximately 12 hours later, Bansal issued a second clarification, acknowledging that the document contained “an incorrect line” regarding bindi and tilak. He said the issue had been identified earlier and the document was removed. Taking responsibility, Bansal stated, “This should never have been written… I should have caught this earlier.” Social media reactions persist Despite the clarification, several users remained unconvinced, claiming that the document was recent and demanding that the company make its current policy public. Critics questioned whether earlier versions of the policy reflected a bias and sought greater transparency from the company. Company background and growth Lenskart, founded in 2010, is a major player in India’s eyewear market, known for its vertically integrated business model that cuts costs by manufacturing its own frames and lenses. The company achieved unicorn status in 2019 and is reportedly preparing for an initial public offering (IPO).
16 April,2026 04:09 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed petitions filed by Anil Ambani challenging a Bombay High Court order that allowed banks to continue proceedings to classify certain loan accounts as fraudulent, reported the PTI. A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi, permitted Ambani to pursue his case before a single judge bench of the High Court. The top court also requested the High Court to hear and decide the matter expeditiously. "In terms of the Single Bench order, the Division Bench order shall not touch upon the merits of the suit, which remains pending. We request that the Bombay High Court expedite the civil suit for disposal. If the petitioner (Anil Ambani) has any other remedy in law, he shall be at liberty to avail the same. On the petitioner's submission that he wishes to settle with the banks, we do not express any opinion", the Court noted, reported the ANI. The case According to the PTI, the case relates to proceedings initiated by banks against Anil Ambani and Reliance Communications to classify their loan accounts as fraud. Anil Ambani had approached the Supreme Court challenging a February 23 order of a division bench of the Bombay High Court. Earlier, on April 6, the Supreme Court directed central investigative agencies to conduct a time-bound, fair and transparent probe into alleged financial irregularities linked to the Reliance Anil Ambani Group (RAAG), while hearing a public interest litigation filed by EAS Sarma on March 23, as per the ANI. Bombay High Court order The division bench had earlier set aside an interim order by a single judge bench, which had stayed action by banks against Anil Ambani and his company. The division bench ruled in favour of appeals filed by three public sector banks—Indian Overseas Bank, IDBI Bank and Bank of Baroda—along with audit firm BDO India LLP, according to the PTI. Dispute over fraud classification The earlier interim relief had been granted on the grounds that the banks’ action was based on an allegedly flawed forensic audit and did not follow mandatory guidelines of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), as per the PTI. Anil Ambani had challenged show-cause notices issued by the banks seeking to classify the accounts as fraudulent. (with PTI and ANI inputs)
16 April,2026 04:05 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent | mid-day online correspondentSix persons from different states have been arrested for allegedly running an online betting racket linked to Indian Premier League (IPL) matches in North Goa, police said on Thursday, reported the PTI. The operation was carried out by the Cyber Crime Police during the night of 15-16 April at a rented premises in Sangolda village. The accused were allegedly caught accepting bets through online applications during ongoing IPL matches. Use of apps and devices Police said the group used mobile applications such as “MG Lion” and “Kabook 1” to conduct betting activities. Multiple mobile phones and digital devices were used to manage and process bets, as per the PTI. The arrested individuals belong to Gujarat, Rajasthan and West Bengal. They include residents from Surat and Amreli in Gujarat, Udaipur in Rajasthan, and Bardhaman in West Bengal, according to the PTI. Cash, laptops and ATM cards seized During the raid, officials seized six laptops, cash amounting to Rs 31,000, around 50 ATM cards, several mule account kits and mobile phones. The total value of the seized items is estimated to be about Rs 10 lakh, the news agency reported. Use of Fake Identities According to police, the accused routed betting money through multiple mule accounts and allegedly used fake identities and credentials. This points to suspected identity theft and organised illegal gambling operation, the PTI reported. The action was conducted under the supervision of Superintendent of Police Raju Raut Desai and led by Inspector Deepak Pednekar. The accused have been booked under provisions of the Information Technology Act, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Goa, Daman and Diu Public Gambling Act. Further investigation is underway. Four held for running IPL betting racket in Latur Meanwhile, in an another incident, four individuals have been arrested for allegedly operating an IPL cricket betting racket from a moving car in Latur city of Maharashtra, police said on Wednesday, the news agency reported. It said that the property and cash worth approximately Rs 13.73 lakh has been seized in the matter. The arrests followed a raid conducted by local crime branch officials in the Ambajogai Road area on Tuesday. (with PTI inputs)
16 April,2026 03:54 PM IST | Panaji | mid-day online correspondentDelhi Police on Thursday arrested a man for allegedly defrauding more than 500 women across the country of nearly Rs 2 crore, news agency ANI reported. The accused duped the victims by targeting them through dating and matrimonial applications, officers said. According to the South-West District Cyber Police, the accused, identified as Anand Kumar, is a resident of West Bengal. Officers further informed that he has also been involved in honey-trapping, romance scams, and blackmailing for a considerable period. Police said that the accused created multiple fake accounts across social media platforms, posing as a doctor, businessman, or film producer, to gain the trust of women. "He would establish emotional connections with the victims by promising love and marriage. Later, he would fabricate stories such as medical emergencies, business losses, or urgent financial needs to extract money," a police officer said. In several instances, Kumar also allegedly blackmailed victims by threatening to circulate their private photos and videos online, ANI reported. According to the police, Kumar targeted over 500 women and cheated them of approximately Rs 2 crore over time. A victim's complaint, alleging a loss of around Rs 7 lakh, brought the case to light. Soon thereafter, authorities traced and arrested Anand using technical surveillance and digital tracking from the 24 Parganas area of West Bengal. Authorities have recovered four mobile phones, eight SIM cards, debit cards, and gold jewellery from his possession and are probing the case further. Delhi Police bust investment fraud racket Delhi Police, in coordination with Shahdara Cyber Police, busted an investment fraud racket involving Rs 10 lakh on April 11. Three accused, identified as Sumit, Sandeep, and Kamal Kumar, were arrested for allegedly luring people through WhatsApp groups with promises of high stock market returns. As per officers, the complainant was contacted in December 2025 and was cheated of around Rs 10 lakh. After receiving the money, the accused neither provided any returns nor refunded the amount. The victim was later blocked from all communication platforms. During the investigation, the police traced bank accounts and digital transactions through technical analysis. Subsequently, raids were conducted in the Rohini area, leading to the arrest of three accused. (With inputs from ANI)
16 April,2026 03:35 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentAs the three-day special sitting of Parliament began this morning to debate and discuss three legislations, the Lok Sabha witnessed fireworks and uproar, with Opposition and treasury benches engaging in a war of words over the ‘merits’ of the proposed amendments. Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill and the Delimitation Bill 2026, while Home Minister Amit Shah proposed to introduce the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026. Congress MP K.C. Venugopal voiced strong opposition to the introduction of the bills, claiming that this was an attempt to alter the constitutional fabric of the nation for certain motives. Lok Sabha Speaker intervened, asking them to reserve their arguments during Rule 72 and assured the Opposition of providing ample time to put forth their objections during the full-fledged debate. HM Shah countered Venugopal’s charges, stating that this was the time to raise technical objections to the introduction of the bills, but the latter was questioning the ‘merits’ of the bills. Samajwadi Party fiercely opposed the bills on constitutional grounds, claiming that this would destroy the federal structure and curtail parliamentary democracy. SP MP Dharmendra Yadav demanded that the proposed amendments and bills be withdrawn, while the women’s reservation bill, which was passed in 2023, be brought into force with immediate effect. The SP lawmaker’s scathing criticism, however, sparked controversy as Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju strongly objected to his demands for inclusion of a special quota for Muslim women. Rijiju asserted that the SP leader’s demand for special reservation for Muslim women is totally uncalled for and asked him to refrain from adding communal flavour to the debate. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi also objected to the introduction of bills, stating that this is against the very basis of federalism and the Constitutional framework. The government and opposition have been at loggerheads over the women's reservation bill and delimitation bill, as the former is seeking to operationalise the quota for women from the 2029 Lok Sabha elections while the latter is calling it an attempt to pass delimitation from the backdoor, using the women’s reservation as a ‘front’. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
16 April,2026 03:29 PM IST | New Delhi | IANSA massive fire swept through a slum cluster in Vikas Nagar area of Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh, killing two children and leaving hundreds homeless, police said on Thursday. According to reports, locals stated that several LPG cylinders exploded during the fire that destroyed over 200 shanties in Vikas Nagar. Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Deeksha Sharma said that the bodies of two children, both around two years old, were recovered late on Wednesday, hours after the fire broke out, reported the PTI. The bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination, and their families have been informed. The process of identification is currently underway. Fire engulfs hundreds of shanties The blaze started on Wednesday evening in a slum cluster near Ring Road in Vikas Nagar. It spread rapidly, gutting nearly 200 shanties and destroying residents’ belongings. Most of those affected are domestic workers and daily wage earners, many of whom have now been left without shelter. Fire tenders were rushed to the scene soon after the incident was reported. Teams from the police, fire department, SDRF and NDRF carried out rescue and relief operations, which continued late into the night. The officials said that extensive efforts were made to control the fire and assist affected residents. Leaders express concern Union Minister Rajnath Singh expressed concern over the incident and called for immediate relief measures as well as a thorough investigation. The defence minister, who represents the Lucknow Lok Sabha constituency, spoke to the district magistrate (DM) to take stock of the situation. According to BJP Lucknow City president Anand Dwivedi, Singh expressed concern over the incident and directed the local administration to accelerate rescue and relief operations. "The defence minister has instructed that every possible assistance be provided to the affected families and ensured that those injured receive proper medical treatment," Dwivedi said, as per the PTI. Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav took to X to demand an immediate support package for the victims. He urged the state government to provide food, water and alternative housing for the displaced slum dwellers. "The government should immediately provide food, water and treatment for the injured. Alternative arrangements for shelter must be made," Yadav posted. Officials have said that the exact cause of the fire is still unknown and will be determined after a detailed inquiry. (with PTI inputs)
16 April,2026 03:19 PM IST | Lucknow | mid-day online correspondentFollowing serious allegations of sexual harassment and religious conversions at its BPO unit in Nashik, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has asked its employees at the Nashik facility to work from home. "TCS has asked its employees at Nasik station to work from home. The decision has been taken for the convenience and safety of employees," said TCS sources. Maharashtra | "TCS has asked its employees at Nasik station to work from home. The decision has been taken for the convenience and safety of employees," says TCS sources, following allegations of religious conversions and harassment at the Nashik unit of TCS. — ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2026 The move comes after multiple complaints from women employees alleging sexual harassment, coercion, and attempts at religious conversion at the TCS Nashik unit. Police have registered several FIRs in the case and arrested a number of individuals, including senior staff members. Meanwhile, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has constituted a fact-finding committee to conduct a detailed inquiry into the alleged incidents of sexual harassment of women at the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) BPO unit at Nashik in Maharashtra. The committee will submit its report within 10 working days. The committee, which will visit the place of the incident on April 18, comprises Justice Sadhna Jadhav, Retired Judge of Bombay High Court, BK Sinha, former DGP Haryana, Monika Arora, Supreme Court Advocate and Lilabati, Senior Coordinator, NCW, according to an official statement. TCS Nashik Conversion Case: NCW to assess safety lapses and meet stakeholders The committee has been mandated to conduct an on-the-spot inquiry at the TCS facility in Nashik and any other relevant locations; examine the circumstances leading to the incident and assess the response of concerned authorities and interact with victims, police officials, company representatives, and other relevant stakeholders to gather evidence, the statement explained. Besides, the committee will identify lapses, if any, and recommend appropriate action against those found responsible and suggest remedial measures to prevent recurrence of such incidents and to strengthen safety mechanisms for women in workplaces, the statement said. The committee will function in accordance with the provisions of Section 10(1) read with Section 10(4) of the NCW Act, 1990, and is required to submit its report to the Commission within 10 working days. Upon completion of the inquiry, the committee will present its findings to the Commission in person. TCS has maintained that it has a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of harassment or coercion and has suspended the employees under investigation while fully cooperating with the authorities. (With ANI and IANS inputs)
16 April,2026 03:08 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
-1776337421496_d.png?tr=w-436,h-271 "President Murmu at Mahatma Gandhi International Hindi University in Maharashtra’s Wardha. PIC/PTI")
-1776333818240_d.png "Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut. File Pic")
-1776326500634_d.png "Lok Sabha. File Pic")
