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Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), India’s largest IT services company, is under intense scrutiny following serious allegations of sexual harassment and forced religious conversion at its BPO facility in Nashik.

The case surfaced on March 25 when a female employee filed a complaint at Deolali Camp Police Station, alleging that between 2022 and 2026, three colleagues, including one woman, had hurt her religious sentiments while a male colleague repeatedly subjected her to sexual exploitation and inappropriate advances.

What began as a single complaint quickly expanded. Nashik Police appealed to other TCS employees to come forward, leading to 9 First Information Reports (FIRs) by April 3.

Eight were filed by women alleging sexual harassment, molestation, and pressure for religious conversion.

One male employee also complained of hurt religious sentiments. Several victims claimed they had reported the incidents to the company’s HR department earlier, but no action was taken.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed.

Police conducted a 40-day undercover operation within the office and are examining call records, emails, bank accounts, and other digital evidence.

Arrests

Seven individuals have been arrested, including team leaders Asif Ansari, Shafi Sheikh, Shahrukh Qureshi, Raza Memon, Tausif Attar, Danish Sheikh, and HR manager Nida Khan. One accused remains absconding.

Several have been remanded in judicial custody. The SIT has indicated that more arrests are likely.

TCS Response

On April 12, TCS suspended the employees under investigation.

“TCS has a long-standing zero-tolerance policy towards harassment and coercion of any form,” a company spokesperson said.

“We are cooperating fully with law enforcement authorities.”

Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran has directed Chief Operating Officer Aarthi Subramanian to lead an internal investigation.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis described the allegations as “extremely shocking” and praised the police action.

POSH Act Probe

Nashik District Collector Ayush Prasad has ordered a separate inquiry into whether TCS complied with the Prevention of Sexual Harassment at the Workplace (POSH) Act, 2013.

The probe will examine whether a functional Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) existed and whether complaints were handled promptly.

The POSH Act requires every workplace to provide a safe environment, register complaints, conduct timely inquiries, and take strict action against offenders.

The case has triggered wider debate on workplace safety in India’s corporate sector.

The Nascent Information Technology Employees’ Senate (NITES) has urged the Union Labour Ministry to conduct a comprehensive POSH compliance audit across major IT firms.

As the SIT and internal investigations continue, police have urged any other affected employees to come forward.

The outcome is expected to have significant implications for accountability and workplace safety standards in corporate India.