A Nashik sessions court has rejected an anticipatory bail plea filed by Nida Khan, a wanted accused in the TCS sexual harassment and conversion case, observing that the investigation is “multidimensional and multilayered”.

A detailed copy of the order, passed on May 2, was made available on Monday.

Additional Sessions/Special Judge K D Joshi refused to grant Khan anticipatory bail “considering the seriousness and magnitude of the alleged offence, the role attributed to the applicant, and the settled legal principles”.

The Nashik police registered nine FIRs between March 26 and April 3 against eight TCS employees for allegedly sexually harassing nine people and hurting religious sentiments. Seven people have been arrested in the case so far.

The judge observed that the investigation pointed towards Khan’s involvement, as per the material on record. He said the FIR mentioned Khan and the role she and the other accused played in the case. They told the complainant objectionable stories about Hindu deities and hurt her religious feelings, the order added.

With Khan’s help, the first and second accused, Danish Shaikh and Tausif Attar, tried to brainwash the complainant, the judge said in the order. The investigation also shows Khan gave the victim a burqa and a book about Prophet Muhammad, the order said.

Khan used to visit the complainant’s house to teach her namaz and other daily religious observations, the court further said, citing the material on record.

“The magnitude of the investigation is truly multidimensional and multilayered. The material on record shows that the accused tried to change the victim’s name. No doubt, the victim has a Constitutional right to profess any religion and have any name of her own choice, but that does not mean she should be brainwashed for the same and that too with an organised plan,” the order said.

“The material on record shows that after changing the name, the accused wanted to send her to Malaysia. For the purpose of changing the name, they were taking the help of the Malegaon party. Admittedly, names of some cities and countries were revealed during the investigation. Considering the applicant’s involvement along with the other accused and the magnitude of the offence, custodial interrogation is necessary to go to the root of the case,” the order added.

Khan will challenge the Nashik court’s order in the Bombay High Court, her lawyer said.

TCS internal probe underway

TCS has said it has a zero-tolerance policy towards harassment and coercion of any form, adding that it suspended the employees allegedly involved in the sexual harassment at its Nashik office.

TCS has engaged Deloitte and law firm Trilegal as independent counsel for its internal investigation, being led by Chief Operating Officer Aarthi Subramanian.