Nashik IT Firm HR Manager Arrested in Sexual Harassment Probe
In a significant development, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in Nashik has arrested an assistant general manager (AGM-HR) of an IT firm on Friday, as part of its probe into nine sexual offence cases involving six employees. The HR manager has been charged with abetting sexual harassment by ignoring a woman staffer's complaint against two of the arrested employees.
Court Custody and Legal Charges
The court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate RC Narwadiya remanded the arrested AGM in police custody until April 13, despite the police requesting a seven-day custody. The Mumbai Naka police have invoked multiple sections against three accused, including the AGM, such as sections 75 (sexual harassment), 76 (assault or use of criminal force to disrobe a woman), 79 (insulting modesty), 49 (abetment), 356 (defamation), and 3(5) (common intention).
Broader Investigation and Arrests
Five other arrested employees, primarily team leaders, have been sent to jail under magisterial custody for 14 days in two cases. Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime) Sandeep Mitke, leading the SIT, stated that the team will seek a production warrant to secure custody of these five and arrest them in other cases. He added that one more suspect is being searched for, as their whereabouts remain unknown.
Prosecution and Defence Arguments
Assistant Public Prosecutor Aniket Avhad emphasized that the victim had reported sexual harassment by two colleagues to the AGM, who ignored the complaint. "Had this HR official taken note, other crimes would not have occurred. The ignorance encouraged the accused," Avhad said. In contrast, defence lawyer Baba Sayyad argued that despite initial custody, the police made no progress, with no recoveries from the five accused, negating the need for further remand.
District Collector's Intervention
Nashik District Collector Ayush Prasad directed the police and a district-level committee to check the IT company's compliance with the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (PoSH) Act. The committee must verify if an Internal Committee (IC) has been set up, as mandated for establishments with ten or more employees. An official noted that details are being gathered to assess women's safety and enable corrective actions.
Minister's Statement and Broader Implications
Minister Girish Mahajan revealed that specialized teams from Mumbai have joined the Nashik police to widen the inquiry. "Authorities suspect this may not be isolated and could reflect a larger trend in corporate environments," he told the media. The probe aims to determine if the firm was PoSH Act compliant, with the collector stressing the need for proper complaint registration and vigilance.
Case Details and Timeline
Of the nine cases registered since March 26, one involves sexual exploitation under breach of marriage promise, with the accused in magisterial custody. Seven cases relate to sexual harassment and hurting religious sentiments, and the ninth is based on a male employee's complaint of hurting religious sentiments. All alleged offences occurred between 2022 and 2026.
Protests and Public Outcry
High drama unfolded in front of the IT firm on Friday morning, as protestors from the Bharatiya Janata Yuwa Morcha staged a vociferous agitation and attempted to storm the premises. A large police deployment intervened, keeping protestors at bay, who then staged a sit-in at the company gate, highlighting public anger over the incidents.
