Accused Raza Memon and Shafi Sheikh, arrested in connection with the alleged Nashik TCS religious conversion and sexual harassment case, being produced in court, in Nashik on Thursday | Photo Credit: ANI

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) directed the Director General of Police (DGP), Maharashtra, to submit an action taken report (ATR) regarding the alleged sexual assault and religious coercion case linked to Tata Consultancy Services’ (TCS) Nashik office.

“The Bench of the NHRC, presided by Priyank Kanoongo, Member, has taken cognizance under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, in the matter. The Registry is directed to issue a notice to DGP, Maharashtra, Mumbai, the Commissioner of Police, Nashik, Maharashtra, the Labour Commissioner, Govt. of Maharashtra, Mumbai and the CEO & MD, Tata Consultancy Services, Mumbai, with directions to get the allegations made in the complaint inquired into,” said the NHRC in its letter to officials.

Details List

The human rights body asked for the report within seven days with details like the names of the accused in the registered FIRs in the matter, and whether the in-charge head of the operations at TCS is accused in the registered FIRs. Further, it asked the Labour Commissioner to submit details of all TCS branches in India, including consultancy services, BPOs, subsidiary and sister companies etc. and registration/licence details under relevant labour laws.

Similarly, it asked the CEO & MD of TCS to provide details of the company POSH Committee, including the criteria for being a member, statements of committee members, and activities of the committee over the last three years. The company must also provide copies of complaints received in the last three years, including complaints filed by victims and action taken.

‘Critical Failure’

The case was brought to the NHRC’s notice after the Legal Rights Observatory wrote to it highlighting an alleged “organised racket involving religious conversion and sexual exploitation” within TCS, Nashik. The complaint also claimed that top-level HR executives were aware of such activities and actively shielded the accused.

In a statement, K. Krithivasan, CEO and MD, TCS said, ‘ “We would also like to put certain facts on record: Nida Khan, who is being repeatedly mentioned in the press as HR manager of TCS, is neither a HR manager nor responsible for recruitment. She served as a process associate and did not hold any leadership responsibilities.”

Further, TCS clarified that a preliminary review of its systems and records pertaining to the Nashik unit showed that the company has not received any complaints of the alleged nature on either company ethics or POSH channels.

Further, the Observatory called the incident a “critical failure in corporate governance”, alleging that “Vishakha Guidelines” (Internal Complaints Committee) compliance officers were not assigned at the Nasik branch. Accordingly, it requested the NHRC to investigate the non-compliance with Vishakha Guidelines and suggest a policy expansion to cover religious harassment and forced conversion at the workplace.

Published on April 17, 2026