NCW sets up panel to probe sex abuse allegations at TCS unit in Nashik

New Delhi, April 15 The National Commission for Women (NCW) announced on Wednesday that it has constituted a fact-finding committee to conduct a detailed inquiry into the alleged incidents of sexual harassment of women at the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) BPO unit at Nashik in Maharashtra.

The committee will submit its report within 10 working days.

The committee, which will visit the place of the incident on April 17, comprises Justice Sadhna Jadhav, Retired Judge of Bombay High Court, B. K. Sinha, former DGP Haryana, Monika Arora, Supreme Court Advocate and Lilabati, Senior Coordinator, NCW, according to an official statement.

The committee has been mandated to conduct an on-the-spot inquiry at the TCS facility in Nashik and any other relevant locations; examine the circumstances leading to the incident and assess the response of concerned authorities and interact with victims, police officials, company representatives, and other relevant stakeholders to gather evidence, the statement explained.

Besides, the committee will identify lapses, if any, and recommend appropriate action against those found responsible and suggest remedial measures to prevent recurrence of such incidents and to strengthen safety mechanisms for women in workplaces, the statement said.

The committee will function in accordance with the provisions of Section 10(1) read with Section 10(4) of the NCW Act, 1990, and is required to submit its report to the Commission within 10 working days. Upon completion of the inquiry, the committee will present its findings to the Commission in person.

NCW said that it has taken suo motu cognisance of media reports concerning alleged incidents of sexual harassment of women at the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) BPO unit in Nashik.

“The reports indicate that an initial inquiry, triggered by a complaint relating to religious practices, has brought to light disturbing allegations involving sexual harassment, rape, and attempts at forced religious conversion of female employees by certain individuals in supervisory roles,” the NCW statement said.

Taking a serious view of the matter, the Commission, in exercise of its powers under Section 8 of the National Commission for Women Act, 1990, has constituted a fact-finding committee to conduct a detailed inquiry into the incident, the statement said.

The National Commission for Women remains committed to ensuring a safe and dignified working environment for women and will take all necessary steps based on the findings of the Committee, the statement added.

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