: NASHIK/NEW DELHI: For nearly a month, a group of undercover police personnel quietly worked inside a BPO unit of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)
in Nashik -- posing as housekeeping staff, observing daily interactions, and reporting back to their seniors. What they gathered during this covert operation has now led to nine FIRs, multiple serious charges, and the arrest of seven employees, including a senior HR official.
The operation, launched in February following a tip-off about suspicious workplace conduct, became the foundation of a widening investigation that now includes allegations of sexual harassment, coercion, and attempts to influence religious practices.
According to Nashik City Police, a Hindu woman in her early 20s had begun following Islamic practices under workplace influence.
Her family, when contacted, told police they had stopped her from attending work after noticing changes in her lifestyle, prompting authorities to initiate a discreet probe into the 147-employee facility.
Undercover operation inside workplace
Police deployed constables -- including women officers -- as housekeeping staff inside the unit for nearly two weeks, with some accounts indicating the covert surveillance extended over several weeks.
Officers monitored interactions and reported back daily, with investigators later describing the operation as a "well-laid plan" that corroborated initial inputs.
Based on findings, the first FIR was registered at Deolali police station in March. The complainant accused a colleague, Danish Shaikh, of rape, alleging he had concealed his marriage and established a relationship with her on the promise of marriage. Police also invoked provisions related to hurting religious sentiments, claiming he influenced her religious practices.
Two arrests, Danish Shaikh and Tousif Attar followed. Investigators said a phone scan of Attar revealed images of another Hindu employee in Muslim attire, which led to further questioning and additional complaints.
