New Delhi, July 10 (IANS) A court in Maharashtra’s Nashik has granted bail to former Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) employee Nida Khan, who was arrested in connection with alleged sexual harassment and religious conversion cases linked to the company’s Nashik office. While granting relief, the court observed that no woman should have to endure the trauma of delivering a child in prison, drawing a comparison with the circumstances surrounding the birth of Lord Krishna.

Khan, who is around five months pregnant, was arrested on May 7 from a rented apartment in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar after allegedly evading arrest for nearly 25 days. She had approached the court seeking bail primarily on the grounds of her pregnancy and was granted relief by the Nashik Road Court on July 6.

“The trauma of giving birth in a prison like Lord Krishna or the related social stigma is not bearable for anyone,” Additional Sessions Judge K.G. Joshi said in the order, which became available on Thursday.

“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 added.

The court also noted that the investigation had been completed and the charge sheet had already been filed, observing that continued custody of the pregnant accused would not serve any meaningful purpose.

The prosecution, represented by Public Prosecutor Vijay Gaikwad, along with advocates Milind Kurkute and Nitin Pandit appearing for one of the complainants, strongly opposed the bail applications of Khan and co-accused Danish Shaikh. They argued that the investigation had uncovered sufficient material pointing towards allegations of sexual assault and religious coercion.

Appearing for Khan, advocate Rahul Kasliwal maintained that his client was innocent and had been falsely implicated in the case. He also informed the court that Khan was highly educated and had worked as an associate with TCS before her services were terminated in April.

The court directed Khan’s release on a personal bond of Rs 75,000 along with one solvent surety of an equal amount.

Police are currently investigating nine separate cases linked to allegations of sexual exploitation, attempted forced religious conversion, hurting religious sentiments, molestation and mental harassment involving women employees at the TCS facility in Nashik.

The present case was registered at the Deolali Camp Police Station under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Sections 69 (sexual intercourse by employing deceitful means), 65 (sexual harassment) and 299 (outraging religious feelings). The accused have also been booked under relevant provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, as the complainant belongs to the Dalit community.

According to the investigation, Khan allegedly attempted to influence the complainant by providing her with a burqa and religious literature. She is also accused of installing Islamic applications on the woman’s mobile phone, visiting her residence to teach her how to offer namaz, and instructing her on wearing a hijab.

Following the emergence of the allegations, TCS reiterated that it follows a zero-tolerance policy towards harassment and coercion in any form. The company had earlier announced that it suspended employees allegedly involved in the incidents at its Nashik office pending further action.

–IANS

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