TCS Nashik case: No interim bail for Danish Shaikh in religious sentiments case

Court rejects bail plea

Additional Sessions Judge VV Kathare rejected the plea, observing that the First Information Report (FIR) points to a deliberate attempt to outrage religious sentiments.

Court observations

Quoting the order, Live Law reported the judge said: “The allegations made in the FIR cannot be looked into in isolation when there are serious criminal antecedents against the applicant.”

“The offence charged is having wide social repercussions affecting the law and order situation in the society.”

The court also noted that granting bail at this stage could hamper the ongoing investigation, which is still in its preliminary phase.

Other case against accused

Shaikh is currently lodged in Nashik Central Jail in connection with a separate case, where he is accused of sexually harassing a female colleague.

TCS Nashik case 

At least nine TCS employees in Maharashtra’s Nashik have alleged that they were subjected to sexual abuse and forced religious practices over a prolonged period.

Complainants claimed some employees were coerced into consuming specific food and participating in religious activities against their will.

HR official named

Nashik’s Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime), Sandeep Mitke, said an HR official has been named as a suspect in one of the cases.

According to a complainant, she had emailed the HR official regarding workplace harassment but was allegedly told to “stay cool,” with the claim that such behaviour was common in multinational companies. The official has not been arrested so far.

Multiple cases registered

Reports indicate that nine cases have been registered in connection with the matter.

Eight complaints were filed by women employees alleging sexual offences and religious harassment, while one complaint was filed by a male employee over hurting religious sentiments.

Arrests made

According to media reports, the Nashik Police have arrested eight accused, including seven men and one woman.

Police told The Times of India that the Nashik office has around 300 employees, with most of the accused holding team leader positions.

SIT formed for probe

Sandeep Karnik, Commissioner of Police, Nashik, said authorities are taking the allegations seriously.

“We have formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under an officer of the rank of ACP to investigate all these cases,” he said.