NCW orders TCS to set up anti-harassment panels at all 127 offices within 4 weeks
Synopsis
The NCW has put TCS on a four-week clock to fix a systemic failure: no dedicated Internal Committees at 127 offices, non-functional CCTV, and a joint Pune-Nashik panel that violates the PoSH Act. This isn't just about one Nashik case — it's a compliance reckoning for one of India's largest employers.
Key Takeaways
The NCW directed TCS to constitute separate Internal Committees at all 127 units with 10 or more employees within four weeks .
The hearing on 22 May was chaired by NCW chief Vijaya Rahatkar and attended virtually by senior TCS officials.
The Commission flagged non-functional CCTV , absence of a dedicated Nashik Internal Committee, and a non-compliant joint Pune-Nashik panel.
Nashik Police have arrested at least seven accused , including process associate Nida Khan , in the underlying exploitation case.
Women employees alleged harassment between February 2022 and March 2026 , with complaints reportedly ignored by TCS HR.
TCS must ensure annual PoSH report submissions and send senior officials for the next NCW review in person.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) on Thursday, 22 May directed Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) to constitute separate Internal Committees to address sexual harassment at all 127 units with 10 or more employees within four weeks, during a hearing arising from the Nashik sexual exploitation case. The directive came from a Commission hearing chaired by NCW chief Vijaya Rahatkar in New Delhi.
Key Directives Issued to TCS
The Commission ordered TCS to hold mandatory training programmes under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act (PoSH), 2013. TCS was also directed to ensure timely submission of annual PoSH reports to the relevant authorities.
The NCW fixed the next hearing after four weeks and mandated the physical presence of senior company officials at the next review. Rahatkar called on TCS to undertake immediate corrective measures to strengthen institutional safeguards and PoSH compliance mechanisms across its offices.
Systemic Gaps Flagged at the Nashik Unit
During the proceedings, the Commission raised serious concerns about systemic failures at the Nashik unit. Issues flagged included the absence of accessible local HR infrastructure, lack of a dedicated Internal Committee for the Nashik office, and the absence of a proper mechanism for filing PoSH complaints.
The hearing also noted non-functional CCTV infrastructure, concerns over supervisory accountability, and the continuation of a joint Internal Committee for both Pune and Nashik — an arrangement the Commission said was non-compliant with statutory requirements under the PoSH Act. The Commission also questioned why no senior TCS official had visited the Nashik centre to directly interact with employees, despite the gravity of the concerns raised.
What the NCW Emphasised
The Commission reiterated that organisations must approach PoSH victims with compassion, sensitivity, and empathy. It underscored that while criminal proceedings will continue independently in accordance with the law, the NCW remains focused on ensuring effective PoSH implementation and strengthening workplace safety mechanisms for women.
The hearing was attended virtually by senior TCS officials, following acceptance of a special request made before the Commission. Additional Secretary B. Radhika Chakravarthy, members of the Fact-Finding Committee constituted by the NCW, and other senior Commission officials were also present.
Background: The Nashik Case
The TCS Nashik case centres on allegations of an organised racket involving alleged religious conversion and sexual exploitation of women employees at the company's office. Nashik Police have so far arrested at least seven accused, including process associate Nida Khan.
Several women employees alleged that they faced mental and sexual harassment between February 2022 and March 2026, and claimed their complaints were allegedly ignored by the company's human resources department. The case has drawn national attention to structural gaps in workplace safety compliance at large corporates.
With the next NCW hearing set in four weeks, the spotlight will be on whether TCS can demonstrate credible, measurable steps toward full PoSH compliance across all its offices.
Point of View
And non-functional CCTV at a unit where exploitation allegations span four years points to institutional indifference, not oversight. For a company of TCS's scale and global reputation, the absence of basic grievance infrastructure is difficult to explain as anything other than a structural priority gap. The four-week deadline is tight but the real accountability test will come at the next hearing: whether TCS produces verified, office-level compliance evidence or offers another round of assurances.
NationPress
7 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the NCW direct TCS to do in the Nashik case?
The NCW directed TCS to constitute separate Internal Committees at all 127 units with 10 or more employees within four weeks, conduct mandatory PoSH training, and submit annual PoSH reports to relevant authorities. Senior officials must also appear in person at the next review hearing.
What is the TCS Nashik sexual exploitation case?
The TCS Nashik case involves allegations of an organised racket of alleged religious conversion and sexual exploitation of women employees at TCS's Nashik office. Several women alleged mental and sexual harassment between February 2022 and March 2026, with complaints reportedly ignored by the HR department.
How many people have been arrested in the TCS Nashik case?
Nashik Police have arrested at least seven accused so far, including process associate Nida Khan. Criminal proceedings are continuing independently alongside the NCW's compliance review.
What PoSH violations were found at TCS Nashik?
The NCW flagged multiple violations including the absence of a dedicated Internal Committee for the Nashik office, non-functional CCTV infrastructure, lack of a local grievance redressal mechanism, and a joint Internal Committee shared between Pune and Nashik that does not meet statutory requirements under the PoSH Act.
When is the next NCW hearing in the TCS case?
The NCW has fixed the next hearing four weeks from 22 May 2025. Senior TCS officials have been mandated to be physically present at that review, where the company is expected to demonstrate concrete PoSH compliance steps.
