A local court in Nashik granted bail to a pregnant Nida Khan, a staffer at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), in a case involving alleged sexual harassment and religious conversion. Additional Sessions Judge K.G. Joshi observed that the trauma of giving birth in prison is unbearable for any woman, drawing a comparison with the circumstances surrounding the birth of Lord Krishna.
However, the court noted that the investigation shows Ms. Khan, with the help of co-accused, attempted to ‘brainwash the victim’ and change her ideological views and religion. The court also stated that they tried to convince the victim that ‘there are objectionable stories in the Hindu religion.’ The Judge allowed her plea, considering the defence argument that she was five months pregnant. ‘The trauma of giving birth in a prison like Lord Krishna or the related social stigma is not bearable for anyone,’ the court said. ‘To avoid such an agonising situation and for the welcome and overall welfare of the newborn baby, it would be just and proper to exercise judicial discretion in favour of the applicant-accused.’ The Judge said that keeping the pregnant applicant detained would serve no purpose as the investigation was complete and the charge sheet had been filed. Ms. Khan’s lawyer Rahul Kasliwal claimed that she was innocent and had been falsely implicated.
He submitted that Ms. Khan was highly educated and was previously employed as an ‘Associate’ at TCS before being terminated in April 2026. The court allowed Ms. Khan’s bail on a personal bond of ₹75,000 along with one solvent surety of the same amount. An SIT of the Nashik police is probing a total of nine cases registered in connection with the alleged exploitation, attempt of forceful conversion, hurting religious sentiments, molestation and mental harassment of female employees at the TCS unit.
Ms. Khan’s specific role, according to the investigation, involved brainwashing the victim by giving her a burqa and religious literature. She is also accused of installing applications concerning Islam on the victim’s mobile phone, visiting her home to teach her how to offer namaz, and showing her how to wear a hijab. After the cases came to light, TCS clarified that it has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards harassment and coercion of any form for a long time, and the employees allegedly involved in sexual harassment at the Nashik office have been suspended.
