Nashik SIT ends 42-day search, arrests key accused in TCS-linked harassment case
Police in Nashik arrested Nida Khan on Thursday night after a 42-day search operation that stretched across multiple cities in Maharashtra. Investigators tracked her down in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar during a joint operation led by the Nashik police Special Investigation Team and local police units.
Police Commissioner Sandeep Karnik confirmed the arrest and said officers coordinated closely with teams in Sambhajinagar to locate the suspended BPO employee linked to the high-profile case. Assistant Commissioner of Police Sandeep Mitke, who heads the SIT, also confirmed that officers would bring Khan to Nashik and produce her before a local court on Friday.
The arrest marked a major breakthrough in a case that has triggered intense public debate inside corporate circles and across local communities. The investigation began after multiple women employees connected to a TCS-linked BPO operation accused co-workers of sexual exploitation, intimidation and religious coercion. Nine staffers later approached investigators and named eight accused in their complaints.
Soon after the FIR surfaced on March 26, the SIT launched search operations in Mumbai, nearby suburbs and other districts. However, Khan allegedly avoided police teams for several weeks. Investigators also questioned her husband during the search and gathered digital and location-based inputs to trace her movements.
On the ground in Nashik, the case continued to dominate conversations around workplace safety and employee protection. Outside the BPO facility, several local residents and workers discussed concerns over security inside private offices that run night shifts and outsourced operations. Many employees in nearby IT parks said the allegations had shaken confidence among young professionals, especially women who travel for late-hour work schedules.
Meanwhile, police tightened surveillance during the investigation because the case sparked sharp reactions on social media and within local political groups. Officers monitored sensitive areas to prevent unrest and misinformation.
Investigators earlier arrested seven other accused in the case. However, Khan remained untraceable for more than a month, which increased pressure on the SIT. Police teams then expanded the operation and coordinated with intelligence units across Maharashtra before locating her in Sambhajinagar.
The case also drew attention because investigators added allegations linked to religious sentiments during the probe. Officials registered a separate FIR in late March after complaints accused Khan of actions that allegedly hurt religious beliefs. That development widened the scope of the investigation and pushed the SIT to speed up its search efforts.
As the legal process moves forward, officers now plan to question Khan in detail about the allegations and her role in the case. Police sources said the SIT will also examine communication records and statements from other accused to strengthen the investigation.
For many residents in Nashik, the arrest brings temporary relief. However, the larger debate around workplace conduct, employee safety and accountability inside corporate-linked operations continues to grow louder.
