TCS Nashik Case: Chairman Chandrasekaran Assures Action, COO to Lead Probe

Tata Consultancy Services has initiated a high-level investigation into allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct at its Nashik office, with Chairman N Chandrasekaran describing the incident as “gravely concerning and anguishing.”

In a statement issued Monday, Chandrasekaran said the Tata Group is treating the matter with “utmost seriousness,” adding that action has already been initiated against the accused employees and the company is fully cooperating with ongoing investigations.

“The Tata Group maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of coercion or misconduct by its employees,” he said, noting that a thorough probe is underway to establish facts and identify all those responsible. He emphasised that “appropriate and stringent action” will be taken against those found guilty, along with any necessary process improvements.

The investigation will be led by Chief Operating Officer Aarthi Subramanian. 

The Case

The fallout follows a woman employee alleging that a colleague initiated a relationship on the false promise of marriage. As the investigation progressed, at least seven more women came forward with complaints of sexual harassment and religious coercion against multiple employees at the Nashik office.

Reports said seven employees, including a human resources manager, have been arrested. The accused allegedly engaged in inappropriate touching, made objectionable remarks, stalked colleagues, and, in some cases, attempted coercion, including pressuring women over personal and religious choices.

Some reports also indicated that a senior official may have failed to act on earlier complaints, potentially enabling the misconduct.

According to multiple media reports, TCS has suspended all employees accused in the case pending the outcome of the inquiry and reiterated that it is cooperating fully with law enforcement authorities.

Police are examining over 40 CCTV footage clips as part of the probe and have also conducted an undercover operation inside the office premises to gather evidence, reports said.

The alleged incidents span several years, from 2022 to 2026, raising concerns over workplace safety and internal grievance redressal mechanisms at one of India’s largest IT services firms.

According to a Times of India report, police have registered nine FIRs across Deolali Camp and Mumbai Naka police stations, invoking provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) related to rape, sexual harassment, stalking, outraging a woman’s modesty, and deliberate acts intended to outrage religious feelings.

In a statement, the company said it has a long-standing policy against harassment and coercion, and reiterated its commitment to employee safety. “The employees being investigated have been suspended pending enquiry. We are cooperating with local law enforcement authorities, and any further action will be based on the conclusion of this investigation,” it said.

Call for Action

Separately, the Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate (NITES), a trade union dedicated towards IT and ITES employees, has written to the Union Labour Ministry seeking a comprehensive audit of workplace conditions and sexual harassment compliance across TCS and the wider IT sector in Maharashtra.

In its letter dated April 13, NITES said the Nashik incident reflects a “breakdown of institutional safeguards” and flagged concerns over the alleged failure of internal mechanisms, including human resources, to act on complaints with the required seriousness.

The body said multiple women employees have alleged harassment and abuse of authority by individuals in supervisory roles, with reports suggesting that complaints were either mishandled or victims were discouraged from reporting them.

NITES has urged the government to conduct a time-bound audit of POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) compliance at TCS, examine past complaints and the actions taken, and assess the accountability of senior management. It has also called for a wider audit across IT and IT-enabled services firms in the state, warning that the issue may not be limited to a single company.