New Delhi: A special court in Maharashtra’s Nashik has granted bail to former Tata Consultancy Services employee Nida Khan in a workplace harassment and alleged religious conversion case. The court cited her pregnancy and the completion of the police investigation.

Khan, who is five months pregnant, was arrested nearly two months ago. Her case forms part of a wider investigation into the alleged sexual exploitation and religious coercion of female employees at a TCS outsourcing unit in Nashik.

Special Judge KG Joshi drew a parallel with the birth of Lord Krishna in prison while granting Khan bail. “It is not disputed that applicant Nida is five months pregnant. The trauma of taking birth in a prison like Lord Krishna or the social stigma attached to it is not sufferable to anyone. To avoid such a distressing situation and for the welcoming and overall wellbeing of a newborn baby, it would be just and proper to exercise judicial discretion in favour of the applicant-accused,” the court said.

The judge also said police had completed the investigation and filed a chargesheet. Therefore, Khan’s continued custody was not required.

The prosecution alleged that Khan tried to influence a female colleague’s religious beliefs. She allegedly gave her a burqa and Islamic books, installed Islam-related applications on her phone and taught her how to offer namaz and wear a hijab.

The court said the material collected by investigators prima facie suggested that Khan and other accused tried to “brainwash the victim” and influence her religious beliefs. The order also referred to allegations that the accused told the complainant there were “objectionable stories in the Hindu religion”.

Khan’s lawyer claimed that police had falsely implicated her. The counsel said she was a highly educated professional who worked as an associate at TCS before the company terminated her services in April 2026.

The prosecution and a victim’s lawyer opposed bail. They argued that investigators had found evidence related to sexual exploitation and religious coercion. The court granted Khan bail on a personal bond of Rs 75,000 and one solvent surety for the same amount.

Khan faces charges only in the case registered at Deolali Camp police station. Seven other accused face allegations across nine FIRs registered between March 26 and April 3.

A Nashik Police Special Investigation Team is investigating allegations of sexual exploitation, forced conversion attempts, molestation, mental harassment and hurting religious feelings. The accused also face provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act because the complainant belongs to the Dalit community.

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