Court Refuses Interim Relief to Nida Khan in Nashik TCS Case, Grants Time for Reply Till April 27

New Delhi: In the ongoing Nashik TCS case, the court has denied interim bail to accused Nida Khan, while her anticipatory release application is being considered. The matter will now be taken up again on April 27.  

Khan's legal team had requested interim protection, claiming that the anticipatory bail process would take time. However, the court chose not to pass any such order at this stage. During the hearing, the complainant's lawyer requested further time to file a written response, which the court granted, setting an April 27 deadline.

Inside the Court

During the proceedings, Khan’s counsel cited medical grounds, informing the court that she is pregnant. Advocate Rahul Kasliwal, representing Khan, emphasized that the motion for interim relief was made in light of her illness and the anticipated delay in final arguments on anticipatory bail.

The prosecution objected to the plea and attended on its own behalf. They also presented photographs allegedly taken during a BPO picnic and trip as part of their submissions.

A major point of contention in court was the invocation of the SC-ST Act. Khan’s lawyer argued that the prosecution had not produced concrete evidence to support these charges.

Conflicting Claims Around Allegations

Police have described Khan as the “mastermind” behind alleged forced religious conversions at the TCS Nashik BPO branch. However, her legal team has strongly disputed this claim.

Advocate Baba Sayyad, representing Khan, stated that no allegations of forced religious conversion or harassment are mentioned against her in the FIR. Speaking to media on April 17, he said, “The first complaint included sections dealing with offences of rape and hurting religious sentiments. Danish Sheikh has been made the main accused, and Nida Khan and Attar are co-accused. Police investigation revealed that other illegal activities and eight FIRs were filed.”

He further added, “FIR doesn't mention forceful religious conversion, only a complaint of hurting religious sentiments. Two accused are under police custody. Their custody will end tomorrow (Saturday).”

Questioning the “mastermind” tag, Sayyad said, “Don't know why she is being called the mastermind. She has been named in one FIR, and the only allegation against her is of hurting religious sentiments. We will file an application in the Sessions Court in a couple of days. Nida Khan was not the HR; she was a process associate. The word 'Jihad' is a political term. FIR mentions nothing, and these words have no value in the court.”

Role, Identity, and Company Clarification

Khan, who is 26, came under fire early in the probe, with initial reports claiming that she headed the HR department at the Nashik site and failed to address complaints from female employees. Investigators believe that instead of responding to harassment accusations, she encouraged religious conversion.

However, the business then emphasized that Khan was not an HR manager, but rather a process associate who never had a leadership position.

What is Nida Khan’s Family saying?

While police reported Khan as absconding and initiated a search to find her, her family rejects this. They argue that she is not fleeing the law, but is trapped in a scenario fueled by fear and misidentification.

Her father has denied all charges, portraying her as an ordinary working professional who "simply went to work every day." Her lawyers have also stated that she has no past criminal record and claims that she has been wrongfully accused.

Khan's personal circumstances have brought a new dimension to the case. She recently married and is currently pregnant. She apparently relocated to Mumbai earlier this year to continue her degree while working.

However, investigators said their efforts to find her have escalated. They point to switched-off phones and failed attempts to locate her via family. Her spouse was briefly detained during the investigation, but her whereabouts remain unknown.

The Case 

The case originated from multiple complaints filed by female employees at the Nashik branch between March 26 and April 3, leading to at least nine FIRs. The allegations include workplace harassment and coercion, with digital evidence, notably social media activity, which has emerged as a major component of the investigation.

All eight accused in the case have been suspended by the company. 

The developments have additionally drawn in the attention of national organizations. The National Commission for Women has dispatched a team to Nashik to analyze the situation and evaluate workplace safety protocols. The National Human Rights Commission has sent notifications to the Maharashtra Police and the corporation, requesting a full report.