Name change, burqa lessons, Malaysia job lure: New details in TCS Nashik case

The case involving allegations of hurting religious sentiments and attempted forced religious conversion at a TCS office in Nashik took a new turn on Monday, with prosecutors telling a Nashik court that there is additional evidence against key accused Nida Khan and that the probe has widened beyond the city to include links to Malegaon and Malaysia.

Special Public Prosecutor Ajay Mishra told the court, which was hearing Khan’s anticipatory bail plea, that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) had gathered evidence suggesting that Khan tried to influence one of the complainants to adopt Islam by teaching her religious practices.

He said the complainant was allegedly given a burqa and introduced to religious practices, including being provided with a book and having religious learning apps installed on her phone.

According to the prosecution, Khan would take the complainant to her home and teach her how to offer prayers and wear a hijab and burqa. It was also alleged that there were plans to change the complainant’s name to 'Hania'. Investigators have reportedly found Islamic reels, YouTube links, and Instagram posts on her phone.

The prosecution said the scope of the case has expanded beyond Nashik, with links emerging to Malegaon and Malaysia.

It was also alleged that co-accused Danish Sheikh took possession of the complainant’s educational and other important documents, which were to be handed over to a team in Malegaon as part of the plan.

The prosecution further claimed that the accused were preparing to send the complainant to Malaysia for a job through a person named Imran. Investigations are continuing to determine whether there was any financial support behind the alleged conspiracy.

Mishra informed the court that Nida Khan is currently absconding and that her mobile phone needs to be seized to ascertain whether more individuals may have been targeted. He argued that granting bail could allow her to influence witnesses. The court has not granted her any protection so far, and police may arrest her.

Meanwhile, Nida Khan’s lawyer Rahul Kasliwal denied the allegations, stating that there is no law against religious conversion in Maharashtra. He argued that the charges invoked under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relate only to hurting religious sentiments and that no actual conversion took place.

He also questioned the filing of multiple FIRs in the case, saying that there should be a single FIR instead of nine. The court will next take up the matter on May 2.

- Ends

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