TCS Nashik case: No POSH complaints from employees who filed FIRs, says company

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) on Friday said it has not received any complaints through its internal ethics or Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) channels from employees who have filed FIRs in the ongoing Nashik sexual harassment cases between 2022 and 2026 even as investigations continued.

In a statement, TCS CEO and Managing Director K Krithivasan said the company has initiated multiple steps to probe the allegations.

"While detailed reviews are still underway, a preliminary review of the systems and records pertaining to the Nashik unit indicates that we have not received any complaints of the nature that are being alleged on either our ethics or POSH channels," the statement read.

Independent expert teams from Deloitte and law firm Trilegal have been engaged to support an internal investigation led by TCS President and COO Aarthi Subramanian. An oversight committee chaired by independent director Keki Mistry has also been constituted to review findings and recommend action.

The company also sought to clarify certain claims circulating in the media. It said Nida Khan, frequently described as an HR manager, was in fact a process associate with no recruitment or leadership responsibilities. TCS also dismissed reports of its Nashik unit being shut, stating that operations continue uninterrupted.

Furthermore, the IT service conglomerate reiterated its commitment to employee welfare, maintaining that it has a zero-tolerance policy towards coercion or misconduct. The company added that it is cooperating fully with law enforcement agencies to ensure a thorough and transparent probe.

"We continue to extend full cooperation to the law enforcement agencies so that the matter is investigated thoroughly, transparently and brought to a rightful conclusion," it said.

The Nashik case has triggered widespread concern, with multiple complaints alleging that a group of employees targeted colleagues, particularly women aged between 18 and 25. So far, nine FIRs have been registered, including one filed by a male employee who alleged religious harassment and attempted conversion.

The complaints detail allegations ranging from abuse of Hindu deities and coercion to adopt specific religious practices, to forced consumption of non-vegetarian food.

Eight people have been arrested so far -- seven men identified as Danish Sheikh, Tausif Attar, Raza Memon, Shahrukh Qureshi, Shafi Sheikh, Asif Aftab Ansar and Shahrukh Sheikh, along with one woman.

Police have alleged that some of the accused held senior roles and misused their positions to harass co-workers. An officer also claimed that Nida Khan discouraged a woman employee from filing a complaint, allegedly telling her such incidents were routine.

Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran earlier described the allegations as "gravely concerning and distressing", adding that a comprehensive internal inquiry is underway to establish facts and fix accountability.

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