Maharashtra government is planning to launch a dedicated helpline for victims of corporate exploitation and forced conversion, following the Nashik IT case, NDTV reported, citing Cabinet Minister Nitesh Rane.
The Minister said that the government has received several reports from employees in various platforms and organisations facing similar harassment in other companies.
This comes after eight women employees of Tata Consultancy Services' (TCS) BPO unit in Nashik accused senior colleagues of sexual harassment, mental abuse, and attempted forced religious 'conversion'. The case has escalated into a major controversy, triggering a police SIT probe, multiple arrests, and a response from Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran.
In a move to crackdown workplace harassment, the platform proposed by the Maharashtra government seeks to provide a direct channel for victims or witnesses to report misconduct and get immediate support from the state.
The authorities have started documenting and probing new complaints that have been reported after the Nashik case.
Minister Rane highlighted that investigations have been extended to multiple companies based on the recent complaints. Additionally, the government has issued an open call for anyone affected by similar workplace issues to report their experiences, promising comprehensive assistances for all grievances.
More About Nashik IT Case
The Nashik IT incident came into light after a woman working at the BPO office filed a complaint at the Deolali Camp Police Station, alleging that some colleagues had repeatedly behaved inappropriately from 2022 to 2026.
In February, a complaint filed with Nashik City Police alleged misconduct at the office. The complaint was filed by political party worker, who reportedly claimed that a Hindu woman employee had begun observing Ramzan fasts. Following this complaint, police launched a covert operation inside the TCS office to verify the claims and assess workplace conditions.
The complaint led to a broader investigation that eventually drew in nine FIRs and seven arrests. Some of accusations include inappropriate touching, sexually explicit remarks, stalking, and sustained mental harassment. Certain complaints also alleged that harassment was accompanied by religious coercion, including pressure to participate in practices against their beliefs and attempts at forced conversion.
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