The Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the alleged sexual harassment and forced religious conversion case involving employees of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has filed its second chargesheet before a Nashik court, officials said on Thursday.
The latest chargesheet relates to eight FIRs registered at Mumbai Naka police station against several accused, including Raza Rafiq Memon, Shahrukh Husain Shaukat Qureshi, Ashwini Ashok Chainani, Tausif Bilal Attar, Shafi Bhikan Sheikh, Danish Ejaz Sheikh and Nida Ejaz Khan. The accused have been booked under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The chargesheet was submitted before the court of the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate in Nashik.
This comes a week after the SIT filed a 1,500-page chargesheet in connection with a separate case registered at Deolali Camp police station.
Sources associated with the investigation said statements of more than 45 witnesses have been recorded so far. Investigators have also collected CCTV footage and other technical evidence as part of the probe.
The SIT was constituted following complaints by several women employees at TCS’s Nashik unit, who alleged exploitation, attempts at religious conversion, molestation, mental harassment and acts that hurt their religious sentiments.
According to the complainants, some employees were allegedly targeted through a WhatsApp group and pressured to participate in religious practices and consume non-vegetarian food. Victims also alleged that they were subjected to sustained pressure to adopt certain religious customs, including offering prayers, altering dietary habits and using religious symbols.
Meanwhile, the investigation has also focused on the alleged role of AIMIM corporator Mateen Patel. Police suspect Patel provided shelter to accused Nida Khan while she was evading arrest.
An official said Patel was questioned for nearly nine hours on May 25.
He has been asked to appear before investigators again on June 1 for further questioning as the probe continues.
