Nida Khan, one of the key accused in the controversial TCS Nashik case involving allegations of sexual harassment, religious coercion and forced conversion attempts, was arrested by Maharashtra Police on Thursday after remaining absconding for more than 40 days.
The arrest was carried out in a joint operation by the Nashik Special Investigation Team (SIT), the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Police Commissionerate and the Crime Branch.
Police said Khan was detained from a flat in Kaiser Colony in the Naregaon area of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, where she had allegedly been staying with her family members for the last few days.
“We had kept the flat under surveillance for two days before carrying out the operation,” police officials said.
Court Grants Transit Remand
After her arrest, Khan was produced before a Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar for transit remand proceedings.
In an official statement, the SIT said, “Accused Nida Khan, wanted in Devlali Camp Police Station Crime Register No. 156/26, has been taken into custody from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.”
Police officials confirmed that she would be brought to Nashik for further questioning and legal proceedings.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Sandeep Mitke, who heads the SIT probe, said, “We are in the process of completing the legal formalities.”
Allegations of Religious Coercion and Harassment
The case first came to light after a 23-year-old woman employee at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in Nashik accused her colleague, Danish Sheikh, of establishing a physical relationship with her by allegedly falsely promising marriage despite already being married.
According to the police complaint, Nida Khan is the sister of Danish Sheikh and allegedly played a role in hiding his marital status from the complainant.
The FIR also alleged that Khan made derogatory remarks about the complainant’s religion and pressured her to change her faith.
The complainant alleged that Khan taught her to recite the Kalma, observe Roza and change her dressing style.
Police have also invoked provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in the case.
More Women Came Forward During Investigation
As investigations progressed, seven more women reportedly approached police alleging mental harassment, sexual exploitation and workplace misconduct by senior colleagues between 2022 and 2026.
The women also claimed that complaints made to the HR department were ignored.
So far, police have arrested seven employees in connection with the case, including six men and one woman associated with the HR department.
TCS Suspended Nida Khan
Documents accessed during the investigation showed that TCS suspended Nida Khan following the allegations.
In a suspension letter issued on April 9, the company stated that the allegations against her were serious and that she was unable to discharge official duties due to police and judicial proceedings.
The company also temporarily revoked her access to internal systems and networks.
TCS clarified in a public statement that Khan worked as a “process associate” and was neither an HR manager nor involved in recruitment activities.
The company further said it had not received any complaints regarding the matter through its internal channels.
Anticipatory Bail Plea Rejected
Before her arrest, Khan had approached a Nashik court seeking anticipatory bail and interim protection from arrest, citing her pregnancy.
However, the court rejected her plea after police argued that custodial interrogation was necessary.
Investigators also informed the court that Khan allegedly had links in Malaysia and Malegaon, which they claimed required further investigation.
