Khan, an employee of the IT company, was arrested on Thursday from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar after allegedly remaining absconding since the controversy came to light. She was produced before the Nashik Road court on Friday, where the police sought her custodial interrogation for further investigation into the case.
Allowing the plea, the court granted police custody till May 11.
The case pertains to allegations of sexual harassment, molestation, mental harassment and attempts at forced religious conversion involving women employees working at the TCS office in Nashik. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Nashik police is currently probing nine FIRs registered in connection with the matter.
So far, eight persons, including a female operations manager, have been arrested in the case.
Earlier this month, the Court had rejected Khan’s anticipatory bail application, making strong observations on the nature of the allegations against the accused persons.
In its May 2 order, the Court observed that there appeared to be a “systematic plan” to brainwash the complainant through “organized attempts”. It further noted that the allegations disclosed a “multi-dimensional and multi-layered” offence requiring detailed investigation. “The magnitude of the offense is truly multi-dimensional and multi-layered,” the court had observed while rejecting pre-arrest protection to Khan.
The Court had also held that custodial interrogation was necessary to reach the “root of the case” and uncover the larger conspiracy alleged by the complainant.
According to the prosecution, the accused persons allegedly attempted to influence the complainant’s religious beliefs and subjected her to sustained mental harassment and exploitation within the workplace environment. The SIT is examining allegations relating to objectionable remarks against Hindu deities, coercive behaviour and organised attempts to manipulate the complainant psychologically. Police have also alleged that multiple individuals within the organisation may have acted in concert. The investigation has triggered significant public attention given the serious allegations levelled against employees of a leading multinational IT company.
Authorities are expected to continue interrogation of the accused over the coming days to ascertain the extent of involvement of other individuals and whether similar incidents occurred involving additional employees.
Earlier, on April 27, the Court had reserved the order in the bail plea. The Nashik police had opposed the anticipatory bail plea of Nida Khan before a trial court, asserting that the accused; described as absconding in the alleged TCS sexual exploitation and forced religious conversion case, must be subjected to custodial interrogation.