Nashik court grants bail nearly two months after her arrest, while co-accused Danish Sheikh remains in custody as investigations continue
NASHIK — A court in Maharashtra’s Nashik district has granted bail to Nida Khan, an employee of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), in a case involving allegations of sexual harassment, coercion and attempted religious conversion.
The relief came nearly two months after Khan’s arrest.
Additional Sessions Judge K G Joshi of the Nashik Road Court granted bail to Nida Khan on Monday. However, the court rejected the bail application of co-accused Danish Sheikh.
Nida Khan’s counsel, Rahul Kasliwal, sought bail primarily because she is pregnant.
The court accepted her application and granted her bail, though detailed conditions attached to the order were not immediately available.
The prosecution and lawyers representing the complainant opposed the bail applications of both accused during the hearing.
Government prosecutor Vijay Gaikwad, along with advocates Milind Karkote and Nitin Pandit representing the complainant, argued against granting relief to the accused.
According to the prosecution, investigators have gathered material that they claim supports allegations of sexual exploitation and attempts to influence the complainant’s religious beliefs.
Prosecutors alleged that Danish Sheikh provided an Islamic religious book and a burqa to the complainant as part of an effort to encourage religious conversion.
The prosecution argued that these actions formed part of a broader pattern of alleged coercion and harassment.
Officials also claimed that the accused were aware that the complainant belonged to a Scheduled Caste community.
These allegations remain part of the ongoing investigation and have yet to be tested in court through a full trial.
The case is linked to an FIR registered at the Deolali Camp Police Station in Nashik.
According to police records, the FIR includes charges under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) relating to alleged sexual offences, harassment and acts said to have hurt religious sentiments.
The accused have also been booked under relevant provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, which provides additional protections for members of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
The case forms part of a wider investigation being conducted by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) established by Nashik Police.
According to officials, the SIT is examining multiple complaints connected to the Nashik unit of TCS.
Following the emergence of the allegations, Tata Consultancy Services said it maintains a long-standing zero-tolerance policy towards any form of harassment, coercion or misconduct in the workplace.
The company stated that employees allegedly connected to the matter had been suspended pending the outcome of investigations.
TCS also said it was cooperating with authorities as required.
With Nida Khan now released on bail and Danish Sheikh remaining in custody, the focus shifts to the continuing investigation and future court proceedings.
Legal experts note that the grant of bail does not amount to a finding on the merits of the allegations. The court will ultimately determine the facts after considering the evidence presented by both the prosecution and the defence.
As the SIT continues its inquiry, the case remains under close watch due to the serious nature of the allegations and its connection to one of India’s largest information technology companies.
