Nida Khan, an employee at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in Nashik, was remanded to judicial custody following allegations of sexual harassment and forced conversion.

The case highlights the intersection of workplace harassment and religious coercion within India's corporate sector, involving charges under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Nashik City Police arrested Khan on May 7, 2024 [2], in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The arrest followed allegations that Khan exploited a female colleague through a campaign of harassment and religious pressure. Investigators said that Khan sent more than 170 messages containing religious verses to the victim to coerce her into converting her faith [4].

Following her arrest, a court remanded Khan to judicial custody for 15 days [1]. This custody period is set to expire on May 24, 2024 [3]. The prosecution has filed charges involving sexual harassment, exploitation, and forced religious conversion at the TCS Nashik BPO.

Legal proceedings include charges under the Indian Penal Code and the SC/ST Act. While some reports identify Khan as the primary accused, other accounts describe her as one of eight individuals accused in the matter. The police continue to investigate the extent of the harassment and the nature of the digital evidence used to coerce the victim.

Maharashtra police officials said the case involves both professional misconduct and criminal activity. The investigation remains focused on the digital trail of messages, and the impact of the alleged harassment on the victim's professional and personal life.

“Khan sent over 170 messages containing religious verses to the victim to coerce her into converting her faith.”

This case underscores the legal risks associated with combining workplace harassment with religious coercion in India, particularly when the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act is invoked. The involvement of a high-profile firm like TCS suggests that corporate internal grievance mechanisms may be insufficient when allegations escalate to criminal charges of forced conversion and caste-based atrocities.