The court will do justice and declare the accused innocent. The case is not going to withstand legal scrutiny, claims AIMIM leader
NEW DELHI — The Nashik TCS case involving allegations of sexual exploitation and forced conversion is being used to target educated Muslim youth, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has said. He also criticised the “media trial” of the accused, Nida Khan.
Speaking at a press conference in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, the AIMIM chief said the matter should be decided only by the courts, not through public narratives or television debates.
“There are nine FIRs in the case. Nida Khan has been accused of hurting religious sentiments in one of them. Nobody can give a verdict in the matter except the court. We condemn this media trial,” Owaisi said.
He alleged that the case was part of a larger attempt to harass educated Muslim men and women, adding that the judiciary would ultimately ensure justice.
“The court will do justice and declare the accused innocent. The case is not going to withstand legal scrutiny,” he said.
Addressing the allegations against Nida Khan, Owaisi said she was not part of the human resources department at Tata Consultancy Services and had been transferred even before the complaint was filed. He also claimed that the complainant in the case was linked to the ruling party.
The AIMIM leader criticised the police for highlighting the recovery of a burqa, hijab, and religious books during searches connected to the case. “What does finding a burqa prove? Every Muslim household will have a burqa, copies of the Qur’an, and religious books. Since when has wearing a burqa become illegal?” Owaisi asked.
He said allegations alone could not prove guilt. “If someone is accused, it does not necessarily mean the person will be punished. Those making allegations have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a crime took place,” he added.
Owaisi compared the atmosphere around the case to past terror investigations, including the 2006 Malegaon blast and 2006 Mumbai train blast cases, where several accused were later acquitted. “Many lives were destroyed in those cases. If you want justice, then don’t do a media trial,” he said.
The controversy intensified after police alleged that AIMIM corporator Matin Patel helped shelter Nida Khan in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Patel has since been booked by the police. Asked about the allegation, Owaisi declined to comment and said the matter should be decided legally.
“Let them target us. It does not matter. We will face it legally,” he said.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra minister Sanjay Shirsat accused AIMIM leaders of helping Nida Khan and demanded a Special Investigation Team probe into the matter. Shirsat alleged that there was a “love jihad” conspiracy behind the case and claimed AIMIM leaders had supported Khan after her arrest.
The Nashik Police are probing multiple complaints related to allegations of sexual exploitation, harassment, and attempts at religious conversion at the TCS office.
Nida Khan was arrested in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and later remanded to police custody. Police have also arrested several others in connection with the case.
The case has triggered sharp political reactions in Maharashtra, with ruling alliance leaders attacking AIMIM, while opposition parties and minority groups have raised concerns over media coverage and communal narratives surrounding the investigation.
