The Nashik Road district and additional sessions court has adjourned the hearing on the bail applications of three TCS Nashik employees to June 12. The accused are facing charges of alleged sexual assault and religious harassment. The adjournment was granted following a request by the prosecution for additional time to submit its response.
Case Background
The case was registered on March 26 at the Deolali Camp police station. Among the three accused is a 27-year-old woman who evaded arrest for nearly 40 days before being traced to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and arrested on May 8. Her anticipatory bail plea had earlier been rejected by the court.
Defence Counsel's Statement
Defence counsel, advocate Baba Sayyad, stated that the adjournment was sought by the prosecution to file its response. He said, "The hearing was adjourned because the prosecution requested more time to submit its response to the bail applications." He added, "The bail applications were filed on the grounds that the investigation has concluded and the chargesheet has already been filed."
Charges Filed
According to the police, the FIR was lodged by an unmarried woman against the three accused. The accused have been charged under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including:
- Section 61(2) (criminal conspiracy)
- Section 64 (rape)
- Section 68 (sexual intercourse by a person in authority)
- Section 69 (sexual intercourse obtained by deceitful means or a false promise to marry)
- Section 75 (sexual harassment)
- Section 46 (abetting)
- Section 299 (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings)
- Section 238 (causing disappearance of evidence or giving false information to screen an offender)
- Section 249 (harbouring an offender)
- Section 3(5) (common intention)
Additionally, relevant charges under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, have also been invoked.
Allegations
The police said the main accused allegedly concealed his marital status and sexually exploited the complainant, his coworker, on the false promise of marriage. Another male colleague is accused of sexually harassing her at the workplace, while the woman accused allegedly made remarks hurting the complainant's religious sentiments.
Investigation and Chargesheet
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Nashik police commissionerate filed a 1,500-page charge sheet in the case on May 22. The next hearing is scheduled for June 12.
