Innocent, falsely implicated: TCS Nashik case accused's mother to India Today

Tabassum Sheikh, mother of Danish Sheikh, co-accused in the TCS Nashik sex harassment and forced conversion case, denied all allegations against her son. "He is a very good person," she insisted.

In Short

• Major scandal at TCS Nashik unit, survivors claimed sex harassment, forced conversion
• Nine FIRs filed, 7 men and one woman arrested, HR head Nida Khan on the run
• Police investigation suggested Danish Sheikh part of gang

Tabassum Sheikh, mother of Danish Sheikh, who has been arrested and named as one of the co-accused in the major sexual harassment and forced conversion case, has claimed that her son is innocent and has been falsely implicated. She also said that he is a good person, who is in a happy marriage, with his wife being beautiful and fair.

"My son is a very good person," she told India Today TV.

Addressing the sexual harassment charges against her son, she alleged that the women employees of the TCS BPO unit were wrong.

"My child cannot do this. Our religion doesn't tell us to point fingers at other faiths. In fact, it says that everyone should follow the path set by their own religion," Tabassum said.

A major scandal of years-long sexual harassment and forced conversion has hit the BPO unit of TCS Nashik after nine women employees came forward with the allegations. Then, a police team carried out a sting operation at the unit disguised as housekeeping staff. Based on the investigations, FIRs have been lodged.

As many as nine FIRs have been registered so far, including one filed by a male employee, claiming religious harassment and attempted conversion. Seven men – Danish Sheikh, Tausif Attar, Raza Memon, Shahrukh Qureshi, Asif Aftab Ansar and Shahrukh Sheikh – and one woman have been arrested. Another woman, Nida Khan, the HR head of the unit, remains on the run.

Nashik Police Commissioner Sandeep Karnik said that the investigation so far has suggested that the seven men are co-accused in most of the cases, indicating they acted as a gang. Furthermore, the probe has revealed that most of the targeted individuals were aged between 18 and 25.

The complaints alleged religious coercion and harassment, including objectionable remarks against Hindu deities, forced consumption of specific food items, attempts at forced religious conversion, and pressure to participate in religious practices, among others.

However, Tabassum claimed that her son did not attempt to convert anyone. According to her, religious conversion in Islam cannot happen in such a manner and must be conducted by a Maulvi (Islamic cleric).

She described Danish as a bright individual with no prior criminal record and alleged that he had been framed in the case. "My son never had a bad record in school or college either."

When asked about her son's alleged relationship with the woman who filed the complaint, she said she was unaware of any such relationship and insisted that he was only a friend. She further said that Danish had informed his wife about the woman and that he never brought her home.

Tabassum said that her son has a "beautiful wife" and a happy family, and that he would have no reason to pursue a relationship with another woman. "Why will my son have a relationship with another woman? He has a beautiful wife, his wife isn't dark, his wife is very beautiful, and they are happy."

She also defended the other accused in the case, saying that they were "good boys" and "innocent".

On being asked to describe the situation at her home currently, Tabassum broke down, saying that Danish was the sole breadwinner in the family.

"There is no one to help me. I am alone," she told India Today TV.

She further said that her daughter-in-law has fallen into depression and has been hospitalised, while the couple's children have been crying constantly.

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