A court in Maharashtra’s Nashik has granted bail to Nida Khan, one of the accused in the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) case involving allegations of sexual exploitation and attempted religious conversion, observing that no woman should have to undergo the trauma of giving birth in prison.
Additional Sessions Judge K.G. Joshi passed the order on July 6, while the detailed judgment was made available on July 9. The court noted that Khan is five months pregnant and said her continued detention was not necessary as the investigation has been completed and the chargesheet has already been filed.
Court compares childbirth in prison to Lord Krishna’s birth
While granting bail, the court remarked that the trauma of giving birth inside a prison is unbearable for any woman.
“The trauma of giving birth in a prison like Lord Krishna or the related social stigma is not bearable for anyone. To avoid such an agonising situation and for the welcome and overall welfare of the newborn baby, it would be just and proper to exercise judicial discretion in favour of the applicant-accused,” the court said.
The judge observed that keeping the pregnant accused in custody would serve no useful purpose at this stage of the case.
Court notes investigation points to alleged role
Despite granting bail, the court observed that the FIR and investigation indicate Khan’s alleged involvement in the case.
According to the order, the investigation suggests that Khan, along with a co-accused, allegedly attempted to “brainwash the victim” and influence her religious and ideological beliefs.
The court also referred to the prosecution’s allegation that the accused tried to convince the victim that there were “objectionable stories in the Hindu religion” and encouraged her to change her faith.
According to investigators, Khan allegedly gave the victim a burqa and Islamic literature, installed Islamic applications on her mobile phone, visited her home to teach her how to offer namaz and showed her how to wear a hijab.
Defence and prosecution arguments
Khan’s lawyer, Rahul Kasliwal, argued that she is innocent, has been falsely implicated and was previously employed as an Associate at TCS before being terminated in April 2026.
The prosecution opposed her bail, arguing that the investigation had uncovered sufficient evidence of sexual exploitation and religious coercion. Lawyers representing the victim also opposed the plea, claiming that the accused intentionally attempted to influence the victim’s religious beliefs.
Bail granted with conditions
The court granted Khan bail on a personal bond of Rs 75,000 along with one solvent surety of the same amount.
The case is one of nine being investigated by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Nashik Police into allegations of sexual exploitation, attempted forced religious conversion, hurting religious sentiments, molestation and mental harassment involving employees at the TCS unit in Nashik.
The FIR was registered at Deolali Camp Police Station under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to sexual intercourse by deceitful means, sexual harassment and outraging religious feelings, along with relevant sections of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, as the complainant belongs to the Dalit community.
TCS has earlier stated that it follows a zero-tolerance policy towards harassment and coercion and that employees accused in the case have been suspended pending investigation.
