The National Commission for Women (NCW) on Monday (May 11, 2026) slammed Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) for its alleged failure to comply with the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act, observing that there was pervasive harassment, religious denigration, systemic bullying and exertion of fear and pressure imposed by a toxic leadership at its Nashik office.
Many victims who wanted to complain could not do so due to “complete absence of any formal complaint mechanism and a trustworthy environment”, the NCW’s fact-finding committee said, adding Gen Z employees were more susceptible to anti-religious discourse.
Nine FIRs have so far been registered in cases of alleged rape, sexual harassment and forcible conversions at TCS Nashik, with the police arresting nine accused.
The NCW, which had taken suo motu cognisance of the matter, submitted a 50-page report to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday (May 8), containing 25 recommendations.
“A Fact-Finding Committee was established, comprising Justice Sadhna Jadhav (retired Judge, Bombay High Court), Shri B.K. Sinha (former DGP, Haryana), advocate Monika Arora (Supreme Court), and Ms. Lilabati (senior coordinator, NCW). The committee visited Nashik on April 18 and 19, 2026, where they interacted with victims, POSH Internal Committee (IC) members of TCS, police officers, and other key witnesses. Based on the inquiry, the committee prepared a detailed report,” the NCW said in a statement.
Key observations
The NCW observed that there was a deeply disturbing and toxic workplace environment marked by pervasive sexual harassment and abuse of authority at the workplace. “The accused persons had assumed effective control of TCS, Nashik. They used to target young and vulnerable women and harass them sexually, emotionally, and mentally. The complainants were indeed sexually harassed and faced attempts of molestation,” the report stated.
The fact-finding committee also alleged that the accused indulged in “degrading and belittling the faith in Hinduism and created a coercive atmosphere through repeated anti–religious commentary directed at women employees.”
It claimed that there was systemic bullying, stalking, and demeaning conduct through actions, comments, and behavioural patterns that left female employees feeling humiliated.
The committee observed that the victims were scared as there was “significant social pressure, fear of exposing their families to social stigma, and above all, a complete absence of any formal complaint mechanism and trustworthy environment.”
Blaming the arrested accused of controlling the Nashik office, the NCW said in its report that Danish Sheikh, Tausif Akhtar, and Raza Memon were allegedly protected by Ashwini Chainani, the HR head and operations manager of the company. “No employee had the courage to raise their voice, and those who did faced fear of the professional repercussions, including transfer and termination. Accused Ashwini Chainani, through her silence and insensitivity, had endorsed the acts of the accused,” the report observed.
Key recommendations
The commission’s key recommendations include action for failure to comply with POSH, effective HR and grievance redressal systems, job protection for complainants, regular monitoring of workplace safety and witness protection.
The NCW has also recommended additional charges under Sections 75, 78, 79 and 299, also Section 68(a) of BNS for abuse of authority for sexual purposes.
Meanwhile, Nida Khan, one of the accused, was sent to 14-day judicial custody until May 24. She was arrested from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on Thursday (May 7).