Nashik IT firm sexual harassment probe deepens as conversion allegations surface

• Nashik IT firm faces probe over sexual harassment, conversion
• HR manager questioned after victims' complaints went unaddressed
• Six employees arrested; government calls for strict punishment

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The investigation into nine FIRs registered in connection with alleged sexual harassment and religious conversion at a Nashik-based IT company has intensified, with police now questioning the firm’s human resources (HR) manager. Officials said the HR manager, who lives in Pune, recorded her statement on Thursday, The Indian Express reported.

According to police, some victims had earlier approached the HR manager with complaints, but no action was taken. “We issued her a notice to join the probe at a later date,” an officer was quoted by The Indian Express as saying.

Multiple FIRs and arrests in the case

The case began in March when a woman filed a complaint alleging that a colleague had maintained a physical relationship with her by promising marriage. During the investigation, police registered eight more FIRs related to sexual harassment and religious conversion, as per the report.

So far, at least six people working at the company have been arrested. According to The Indian Express report, the action was taken based on intelligence inputs received by the Nashik Police Commissioner’s office. The arrested individuals have been identified as Asif Ansari, Shafi Sheikh, Shah Rukh Qureshi, Raza Memon, Tausif Attar, Danish Sheikh, along with a woman whose identity has not been revealed.

At least eight woman and a man have come forward to complain against the group operating in the company. The nature of the complaint includes influencing them to eat beef and mock Hindu gods and goddesses; and in some cases, there are charges of sexual assault, as per the Indian Express report.

Government and political reactions

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis called the incident “very serious” and praised the police for acting quickly.

“The developments in Nashik technology company is a very serious issue. The police have brought the incident to light. Such incident in a technology company where employees were subjected to religious conversion, sexual harassment is very shocking. I will praise the police for taking quick action and exposing the incident which needs to be strongly condemned and pursued to its logical end. Those guilty should be given stringent punishment,” he said, as quoted by The Indian Express.

He added that such incidents will not be tolerated in the state. Meanwhile, BJP minister Nitesh Rane described the case as “corporate jihad” and questioned the company’s HR department for not acting on complaints. He also called for strict legal action against those involved, as per the report.