NASHIK: A disturbing conspiracy involving forced religious conversion and sexual assault has come to light at the Nashik branch of IT giant Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). The investigation has revealed a systematic modus operandi that included financial profiling of employees, derogatory religious remarks, and gradual radicalization facilitated by a senior HR manager feigning compassion.
According to police sources, the accused were part of the internal training team and utilized their access to detailed personal information of new recruits. They specifically targeted “targets” who were financially vulnerable or faced domestic issues and required financial assistance. This well-oiled network within the office allegedly included senior staff members and HR manager Nida Khan.
The probe revealed that during training sessions, the accused would make derogatory remarks about Hindu deities. When recruits became distressed, HR manager Nida Khan would reach out to them under the guise of offering support to win their trust. Eventually, the targets were pressured to alter their dressing habits and lifestyles. One victim reportedly became so influenced that she removed religious photos from her home and distanced herself from her family. So far, seven individuals, including Asif Ansari, Shafi Shaikh, Shahrukh Qureshi, Raza Memon, and Tausif Attar, have been taken into custody.
The police cracked the case through a meticulously planned undercover operation. Women constables entered the TCS premises disguised as housekeeping staff, a move that did not alert the accused since such services are outsourced to external agencies. Some male officers were also stationed on the premises in disguise. This covert operation allowed the police to confirm the shocking allegations and gather evidence before moving in for the arrests.
Investigators probing the TCS conversion row have uncovered a dedicated WhatsApp group used by the accused to coordinate their activities. According to police sources, the group served as a platform to discuss potential “targets” and strategize their radicalization efforts. Discussions within the group reportedly revolved around radical religious subjects and internal company politics, showing a calculated effort to manipulate employees.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) is now expanding its probe to include chilling allegations of sexual harassment and assault that have surfaced during the investigation. Authorities are looking into whether the accused leveraged their professional positions to sexually exploit the victims alongside the forced conversion attempts. Further evidence from digital records is expected to shed more light on the extent of the network’s operations within the corporate environment.
With input from NDTV.
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