Nashik- In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through Maharashtra’s corporate circles, Nashik city police have arrested six team leaders from the BPO department of a prominent multinational IT company after nine employees, eight women and one man, came forward with serious allegations of sexual harassment, rape under false promise of marriage, mental torment, and acts hurting religious sentiments.
The complaints, spanning incidents allegedly occurring over the last four years, have led to nine FIRs being registered. Police have formed a dedicated Special Investigation Team (SIT) amid fears that the number of victims could rise significantly as the probe deepens.
Complainants also alleged that internal complaints were dismissed by the company’s HR, with one victim reportedly told that “such gestures are common in MNCs” and to “stay cool.”
One woman accused a married senior colleague of repeatedly raping her on the false promise of marriage at locations on Trimbak Road.
Other women alleged inappropriate physical advances, lewd comments, stalking, and mental harassment inside the office premises, including in the lobby and pantry areas.
The lone male complainant claimed the accused targeted his religious feelings, with some reports mentioning pressure related to religious practices.
Complainants also alleged that internal complaints were dismissed by the company’s HR, with one victim reportedly told that “such gestures are common in MNCs” and to “stay cool.”
The BPO unit in Nashik employs around 300 people, and the arrested individuals were mostly working as team leaders.
The case came to light on March 26 when the first complaint was filed at Deolali police station. Subsequent FIRs were mostly registered at Mumbai Naka police station, with the latest on April 3. One accused was initially arrested on March 26; five more were taken into custody later. Five of the arrested were remanded in police custody till April 10, while one is in judicial custody.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime) Sandeep Mitke has been constituted on the instructions of Nashik Commissioner of Police Sandeep Karnik to investigate all nine cases in a coordinated manner.
Police have also served a notice to the firm’s HR manager (a woman), who has been named as an accused/suspect in at least one FIR for allegedly ignoring a formal email complaint about the harassment.
ACP Sandeep Mitke (SIT Head) said:
“The complainant in the rape case informed police that other women staffers were also facing sexual and mental harassment along with comments hurting their religious sentiments. We contacted these women, counselled them, and they subsequently registered their complaints.” He confirmed that the HR official allegedly responded to a complaint by saying some gestures were common in MNCs.
“We are taking serious cognisance of the alleged sexual offences against these women… Women facing sexual harassment at the workplace in any organisation in the city should fearlessly approach Nashik city police. Strict action will be taken against the offenders”, CP Sandeep Karnik told the media. He added that the investigation will also examine whether the company followed proper internal complaint mechanisms.
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