TCS Nashik case: Survivor’s account of sexual harassment, blackmail

It began with a job offer from a familiar face. It spiralled into coercion, threats and alleged sexual exploitation inside the shiny glass towers of a top IT firm.

Speaking exclusively to India Today, a young woman has accused three colleagues at Tata Consultancy Services’ Nashik branch of sexual harassment, intimidation and attempts to force her to convert to Islam.

She is one of several women employees who were allegedly systematically targeted, subjected to sexual assault and pressured to convert their religion — accusations that have rocked the IT behemoth. The matter came to light last week after a weeks-long covert operation by Nashik Police to probe the complaints of those who were victimised.

HOW IT STARTED

The woman said she first met the prime accused, Danish Shaikh, in January 2022. Both were from the same college, and he offered to help her secure a job where he worked. A friendship developed, she said, with frequent meetings on the pretext of work.

By July 2022, the relationship turned coercive, the survivor alleged. During a meeting, Danish “forcibly pulled” her and kissed her. He followed it up with a marriage proposal when she resisted his advances. She said she managed to put off giving a response. However, she stayed in touch with Danish as she pursued the job opportunity he had promised.

Soon after she secured a job at TCS Nashik, the firm where he worked, following his advice. Their interaction continued at the workplace, often in the company of co-accused Tausif Akhtar and HR manager Nida Khan.

THINGS TAKE A DARK TURN

The survivor alleged that during this period, Danish, along with his associates Tausif and Nida Khan, would regularly meet her in and outside the office. During these meetings, the conversation increasingly veered towards religion.

“Danish Shaikh and Tausif would frequently discuss the differences between the Hindu and Muslim faiths… attempting to convince me of the superiority of their own religion,” she alleged. “They actively attempted to persuade me to embrace Islam.”

Things took a dark turn in August 2024. The woman said Danish took her to a hotel under false pretences and forced her into a sexual relationship. She further alleged that Tausif later used knowledge of this encounter to blackmail her.

“He threatened to reveal the details of our relationship to my family… and demanded that I engage in physical relations with him as well,” she said.

DEEPLY TOXIC WORK CULTURE

Even after firmly rejecting him, she said the harassment continued at the workplace for months. Derogatory remarks were frequently made about her religion. Tausif would grope her at every opportunity, and even physically assault her.

Both men, she alleged, also threatened to upload her private photographs on social media if she did not comply with their demand to change her faith.

In February 2026, the case took another turn. The woman said she was contacted by a person claiming to be Danish’s wife. On calling back, she was stunned to discover he was married with two children.

When she confronted Danish, he denied he was married. “Despite being already married, Danish deceived and defrauded me by lying about his marital status, and engaged in sexual relations with me at various locations,” she said.

Police in Nashik have registered a case and made seven arrests. Charges include sexual harassment, criminal intimidation and offences linked to religious coercion. TCS has not publicly commented on the case so far.

– Ends