Promise of marriage to ‘Pak preacher’ videos: 5 chilling allegations in TCS Nashik case

THe immense row o'er sexual torment allegations linked to a separate of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in Maharashtra's Nashik was revived once again on Thursday after a woman alleged that she was repeatedly encouraged to watch clips by a Pakistani preacher in an effort to influence her faith.Citing Pakistani preacher Tariq Jamil and speeches by controversial Islamic speaker Zakir Naik, the 23-year-old woman said she was she was discouraged from following her own faith, and that the accused introduced her to Islamic teachings through religious videos and discourses, according to a chargesheet filed by the Special Investigation Team (SIT).The SIT was constituted by the Maharashtra government after several women employees at the TCS-associated BPO unit in Nashik accused co-workers of sexual exploitation, religious coercion, molestation and mental harassment.The woman's claims aren't the first to have surfaced in the case. Here are five big allegations linked to the case:Also Read | ‘No Bhagwan songs, don’t go to temple’: Woman says she was shown Pakistani preacher's videos in TCS Nashik case1. Alleged promise of marriage and pressure to abandon Hindu practicesThe chargesheet pertains to a case registered at Deolali Camp police station against Danish Shaikh, Tausif Attar and Nida Khan. According to the complainant, Shaikh - who is married - allegedly sexually exploited the woman on the promise of marriage and simultaneously encouraged her to distance herself from Hindu customs and practices.Shaikh allegedly told her, “Don't be afraid, trust me, Allah is with us. Stop listening to Bhagwan songs and going to the temple; your stress will decrease,” according to the chargesheet.He also allegedly advised her to recite Tasbeeh and seek forgiveness through Islamic prayers, claiming it would help ease her anxiety.2. Complainant says she was introduced to Islamic conceptsAccording to the chargesheet, the woman was gradually introduced to several Islamic concepts and traditions, including Jannah (heaven), Jahannum (hell), Qurbani (sacrifice), Bakri Eid and Zamzam water.“I was convinced that if I accepted the Islamic religion, my mental stress would decrease. I slowly started believing in those things,” the complainant said in her statement.The chargesheet further alleges that Shaikh had access to information related to the woman's bank accounts and UPI PIN and was aware of the funds available in her accounts.Also Read | BPO case: SIT quizzes corporator over alleged links to Nida Khan3. FIR accuses co-worker Nida Khan of influencing employeesThe FIR levels specific allegations against Nida Khan, accusing her of using a WhatsApp group to target employees and exert pressure on them to pray and consume non-vegetarian food.She is also alleged to have advised women employees to dress and conduct themselves in accordance with Islamic traditions.Meanwhile, a Nashik court recently postponed the hearing on the bail pleas of Nida Khan, Danish Shaikh and Tausif Attar to June 12. Police have said that the investigation is still underway.4. Family complaint triggered the investigationThe case came to light after the family of the 23-year-old employee approached the Devlali police station on March 26, four days after Eid. According to the complaint, her relatives became alarmed after noticing that she had begun observing Ramadan fasts and wearing a hijab.When questioned by her family, the woman reportedly said she was in a relationship with her colleague Danish Shaikh, 31, who had promised to marry her.Nashik Police Commissioner Sandeep Karnik said the woman was initially reluctant to approach the police.“Since she was afraid to lodge a complaint, our team reached out to her and gave her the courage to do it,” he told HT.Also Read | Inside the TCS Nashik case: A deep dive into allegations, arrests and the unanswered questions5. Wife's message exposed accused, SIT deployed undercover women officersAccording to the complaint, the woman received a message in February from a woman who claimed to be Danish Shaikh's wife and said the couple had two children. When confronted, Shaikh allegedly told the complainant that he had never intended to marry her.As the case widened, Nashik Police Commissioner Sandeep Karnik formed a Special Investigation Team under ACP Sandeep Mitke. Investigators then allegedly sent six women police personnel to the BPO unit disguised as housekeeping staff through a third-party vendor to gather information without informing TCS authorities.The undercover operation was launched amid suspicions that the alleged activities extended beyond a single relationship and could involve a broader pattern of misconduct.