During a recent hearing on the Nashik sexual exploitation case, the National Commission for Women (NCW) instructed Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) to establish separate Internal Committees at all its 127 units with 10 or more employees within four weeks. The NCW, led by Commission chief Vijaya Rahatkar, also mandated TCS to conduct training sessions on the Prevention of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act (PoSH), 2013.
The Commission scheduled the next hearing in four weeks, urging TCS to submit annual PoSH reports to relevant authorities and ensure officials’ physical presence at the subsequent review. Chairperson Rahatkar emphasized the need for immediate corrective actions by TCS to reinforce institutional safeguards and PoSH compliance mechanisms.
Stressing the importance of approaching PoSH victims with compassion, sensitivity, and empathy, the Commission highlighted its commitment to enforcing the PoSH Act effectively and enhancing workplace safety for women. The hearing, attended virtually by senior TCS officials, also saw the participation of Additional Secretary of NCW, B. Radhika Chakravarthy, members of the Fact-Finding Committee, and Commission senior officials.
During the proceedings, the Commission raised concerns about systemic gaps in workplace safety and PoSH Act implementation at the Nashik unit, including the lack of local HR infrastructure, grievance redressal mechanisms, and a dedicated Internal Committee. Issues such as non-functional CCTV systems, supervisory accountability, and the absence of separate Internal Committees for Pune and Nashik units were also discussed.
The Commission questioned the lack of direct interaction with employees by senior officials at the Nashik center despite serious concerns raised during the inquiry. The case at TCS Nashik involves allegations of organized misconduct, including religious conversion and sexual exploitation of female employees. Several women employees reported harassment by senior staff members, alleging mental and sexual abuse between February 2022 and March 2026, with their complaints allegedly disregarded by the HR department.
