Amruta Fadnavis Draws on Corporate Experience Amid TCS Nashik Probe
NASHIK: Amruta Fadnavis, wife of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, emphasized the critical need for prompt institutional responses to workplace misconduct, referencing her own corporate background during a statement on Friday. She revealed that cases of alleged exploitation of women staff had occurred during her nearly 15-year stint at Axis Bank, noting that the bank's management acted swiftly on complaints. "The role of whistleblower is important," she stated, underscoring the value of robust internal reporting mechanisms in corporate environments.
TCS Nashik Case: A Serious Matter Requiring Action
Addressing the ongoing controversy at the TCS Nashik unit, Amruta Fadnavis described it as a serious matter where taking proper action is paramount. She acknowledged that police are actively involved, and suggested that keeping children connected to their cultural roots could help prevent such incidents. Her comments come as the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case has uncovered a troubling pattern spanning from 2022 to early 2026, indicating prolonged issues rather than isolated complaints.
TCS CEO Details Oversight Panel and Independent Review
TCS CEO K. Krithivasan announced on Friday that the company has established an oversight panel chaired by independent director Keki Mistry to review the internal investigation at its Nashik facility. The unit faces scrutiny over allegations of sexual harassment and religious coercion involving female employees. Krithivasan clarified that while detailed investigations are ongoing, a preliminary review of systems and records has not identified any formal complaints of the alleged nature through the company's ethics or POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) channels.
To ensure transparency and thoroughness, TCS has engaged expert teams from Deloitte and the legal firm Trilegal as independent advisors. The internal probe is being led by president and COO Aarthi Subramanian, reflecting the company's commitment to addressing the allegations comprehensively.
Nashik Court Extends Custodial Remand of Accused
In a related development, a magisterial court in Nashik ordered custodial remand until April 18 for two individuals linked to four of the nine cases under investigation. The accused, previously held in judicial custody at Nashik Road Central Prison, were transferred to police custody via a production warrant for a third case. The SIT, which is handling all nine cases, secured their custody to further the investigation into the alleged sexual harassment and attempted religious conversion incidents.
4-Year Pattern of Allegations Widens Investigation Scope
The SIT's findings reveal a consistent pattern of misconduct over four years, with FIRs detailing numerous allegations from women employees. Key incidents include:
- Accused colleagues staring at women's bodies during meetings and making sexual remarks about their appearance and personal lives.
- Deliberate touching of women's hands and feet under the guise of casual interaction.
- Maintaining unwanted physical proximity despite clear expressions of discomfort from victims.
- Following women within office premises, persistent staring, and inappropriate proposals.
- Intrusive questioning about personal and marital lives, including comments on not having children.
Specific cases highlight egregious behavior, such as an accused making gestures towards a woman's private parts and repeatedly staring at her chest, causing humiliation. Another woman reported persistent advances and obscene conversations despite her objections. These repeated allegations have significantly expanded the scope of the TCS Nashik investigation, pointing to systemic issues that require urgent attention and reform.
