A preliminary review by IT giant Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) into allegations of religious conversion and sexual misconduct at its Nashik branch revealed that no internal complaints regarding the matter had been received.
This comes amid the ongoing police probe into the allegations raised against the company. So far, police have arrested seven employees. The alleged mastermind behind the incident is 'HR head' Nida Khan, who is absconding.
"A preliminary review of the systems and records about the Nashik unit indicates that we have not received any complaints of the nature that are being alleged on either our ethics or POSH (prevention of sexual harassment) channels," said the company.
While clarifying the role of Nida Khan, TCS said that she is neither an HR manager nor involved in recruitment processes with the company.
"She served as a process associate and held no leadership responsibilities," the company said.
TCS also rejected claims that the unit has been shut down, calling the reports "entirely untrue".
Earlier this week, Tata Sons chairman N. Chandrasekaran described the allegations emerging from the Nashik unit as "gravely concerning and anguishing". He also added that the matter is being treated with "utmost seriousness".
Consultancy firm Deloitte and law firm Trilegal have been engaged as independent counsel for the probe.
Meanwhile, police have widened their search for Nida Khan. A Nashik Police Crime Branch team arrived in Mumbra, Thane district, to track her down and questioned her husband at his residence. Despite these efforts, some reports suggest she may still be in Nashik.
Her family said that she is in Mumbai and is expecting her first child. She also moved for anticipatory bail citing medical reasons.
Nida's parents rejected allegations against her and said that it was a conspiracy to divert attention from the Ashok Kharat case. The self-styled godman was arrested on March 18 in a rape case. He is alleged to have sexually assaulted many women by drugging them with a sedative-laced water during rituals.
