These things happen: TCS Nashik BPO HR told woman not to report harassment

Mangalore Today News Network

Nashik, Apr 16, 2026: The HR manager and the Operation Head at a Nashik BPO unit linked to Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) had dissuaded a woman from going ahead and submitting a complaint in connection with the conversion and harrasment case, saying "these things happen" while siding with the accused.

Explaining the role of the two female accused, Nashik Police Commissioner Sandeep Karnik said that the operations and HR head of the unit had allegedly discouraged a survivor from going ahead with the complaint, reported news agency PTI.

The probe into the case has revealed so far that seven male suspects acted in a coordinated manner to target female staff, according to a senior police official.

Authorities have filed nine cases related to the allegations. Eight people, including seven men and one woman, have been arrested, while another female suspect remains on the run.

The female operations manager has been remanded in judicial custody till April 28.

Amid speculation about possible links to extremist organisations or foreign funding, Karnik said investigations are ongoing, with inputs sought from agencies including the SID, ATS and NIA. “We will draw conclusions once evidence is obtained,” he added.

The nine cases include a complaint from a male employee alleging attempted religious conversion and workplace harassment. Earlier, a special investigation team was formed after eight female employees reported mental and sexual harassment by senior colleagues, with allegations that HR ignored their grievances.

Police have detained eight employees from the company, including seven men and the female operations manager. Another female employee is reportedly absconding.

The male suspects have been identified as Danish Sheikh, Tausif Attar, Raza Memon, Shahrukh Qureshi, Shafi Sheikh, Asif Aftab Ansar, and Shahrukh Sheikh.

Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran described the allegations as “gravely concerning and distressing,” adding that a comprehensive probe is being conducted by TCS COO Arathi Subramanian to determine the facts and identify those responsible.

Karnik said the accused, including seven men and two women, allegedly used their positions of authority to harass colleagues. He added that the male employees are co-accused in most cases, suggesting coordinated action within the office.

One female suspect is involved in a single case of religious harassment, while another HR head is accused of discouraging a survivor from filing a complaint.

Police said a female deputy commissioner and other women officers were deployed to conduct inquiries at the workplace, during which more vics came forward after counselling sessions.