Days after six people linked to a Multinational Corporation (MNC) in Nashik of Thane, Maharashtra, Minister Girish Mahajan informed that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to probe allegations of “religious conversion and sexual harassment”.
The Maharashtra minister also emphasized that severe punishment would be given to those found responsible for alleged religious conversions and sexual harassment.
Girish Mahajan, speaking to reporters, warned of a bigger conspiracy and said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had directed the police to look into neighboring business centers to identify similar patterns.
Nashik MNC case: What we know so far
- As many as eight female employees of the MNC filed complaints of mental and sexual harassment.
- The minister also alleged that women were forced to offer namaz and eat beef.
- He claimed that attempts were made to convert the victims.
- The police have so far arrested seven people in connection with the case. The HR manager of the company is also among those arrested.
- All the accused were produced before the court and remanded in 14-day judicial custody.
- When the allegation surfaced, the police registered a total of nine First Information Reports (FIRs).
- Girish Mahajan said cases have been filed against some senior staff, including women, but no action has been taken despite complaints. He said, “A criminal complaint has been filed against them. The investigation is on. I think the involvement of other people will also come to light in this,” he said.
- He further claimed that the women may have fallen victim to a scam that lured the girls with the promise of jobs and later blackmailed them with his photos and videos.
- On Friday, activists from the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), the BJP’s youth wing, staged a sit-in outside the MNC office.
- According to police, the incidents of sexual harassment allegedly occurred from July 2022.
What did the MNC say?
Nashik MNC issued a statement on Sunday saying it has a zero tolerance policy towards harassment and coercion in any form as it confirmed the suspension of employees who were involved in alleged cases of sexual harassment.
It said the company “has a long-standing policy of zero tolerance for harassment and coercion in any form. We have always ensured the highest standards of safety and well-being of our employees in the workplace. Once we became aware of this matter in Nashik, we took swift action.”
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police has issued an appeal stating that if any woman complains of harassment or sexual assault, she can send a message to WhatApp number 9923323311 or contact the dispatcher on 112.
