TCS conversion case: Shelter house of accused Nida Khan faces demolition, says Maha minister
Synopsis
The house where TCS conversion case accused Nida Khan hid for over 35 days — allegedly owned by an AIMIM corporator — is set for demolition after the Municipal Corporation cited illegal construction. The case has triggered a sharp political battle, with Maharashtra ministers accusing AIMIM of shielding extremists even as party chief Owaisi calls the charges a religious witch-hunt.
Key Takeaways
Nida Khan , accused in the TCS religious conversion case at the firm's Nashik unit, was apprehended from the residence of AIMIM corporator Mateen Patel .
The corporator's house faces demolition within a day or two after the Nashik Municipal Corporation issued a three-day notice citing illegal construction.
Maharashtra Minister Sanjay Shirsat said sheltering a wanted accused for over 35–40 days made the corporator complicit in the crime.
AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi defended Nida Khan , calling the charges against her flimsy and alleging a media trial targeting her religious identity.
Nashik Police has named the AIMIM corporator as an accused for allegedly providing shelter to the absconding suspect.
The residence in Nashik where Nida Khan, a key accused in the TCS religious conversion case, reportedly sheltered for over a month is set to face demolition within a day or two, Maharashtra Minister Sanjay Shirsat said on Monday, 11 May. The house, allegedly belonging to an All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) corporator, is at the centre of a fresh controversy surrounding the high-profile forced conversion scandal that has rattled the country.
Background: The TCS Conversion Case
Nida Khan, a woman employee at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)'s Nashik unit, is accused of orchestrating the religious conversion of Hindu women at the top IT firm. She had been absconding for several weeks after the forced conversion scandal came to light. She was recently apprehended from the residence of AIMIM corporator Mateen Patel, where she had reportedly been hiding for over 35–40 days. Nashik Police subsequently named the corporator as an accused for allegedly providing shelter to her.
Why the House Faces Demolition
Minister Shirsat stated that the demolition is not solely punitive but is also grounded in a legal violation: the structure was allegedly built illegally, and the owner reportedly failed to submit valid documents when the Municipal Corporation demanded papers. "The Municipal Corporation has given a three-day notice to the corporator, and it will certainly face demolition," Shirsat said. He further argued that sheltering a wanted accused for over a month made the corporator complicit in the crime.
AIMIM Chief Owaisi Defends Nida Khan
Following the case against the corporator, AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi came out in defence of Nida Khan, claiming she was being targeted because of her religious identity and subjected to a media trial. He contested circulating accounts of her being a key figure in the alleged forced conversion racket, asserting that the charges against her were, in his words, flimsy and unsustainable.
Political Escalation and Sharp Rhetoric
Minister Shirsat came down heavily on Owaisi over his defence of Nida Khan, accusing the AIMIM of nurturing and fostering what he called "radical and extremist" elements to further its ideology. He also backed remarks by Nitesh Rane, who drew a sharp comparison between the AIMIM chief and slain terrorist Osama bin Laden — comments that have themselves drawn controversy. The case has rapidly become a flashpoint for broader communal and political tensions in Maharashtra.
What Happens Next
The three-day notice issued to the corporator's residence is set to expire imminently, with the Nashik Municipal Corporation expected to proceed with the demolition shortly. The broader investigation into the alleged forced conversion network at TCS Nashik remains ongoing, with authorities yet to detail the full scope of the accused's alleged role.
Point of View
But the timing, days after a politically charged arrest, invites scrutiny of whether due process or political signalling is driving the demolition order. Owaisi's defence of Nida Khan, while predictable, sidesteps the substantive question of whether a sitting corporator was aware he was sheltering a wanted accused for over a month. The TCS conversion case has become a proxy battleground for Maharashtra's communal politics ahead of a volatile electoral cycle — and the louder the rhetoric from both sides, the harder it becomes for investigators to pursue the facts on their own terms.
NationPress
11 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Nida Khan in the TCS conversion case?
Nida Khan is a woman employee at TCS's Nashik unit accused of orchestrating the religious conversion of Hindu women at the firm. She had been absconding for over a month before being apprehended from the residence of AIMIM corporator Mateen Patel.
Why is the AIMIM corporator's house being demolished?
The Nashik Municipal Corporation has issued a three-day demolition notice citing illegal construction and the owner's failure to submit valid property documents. Maharashtra Minister Sanjay Shirsat also noted that sheltering a wanted accused made the corporator complicit in the crime.
What has AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said about the case?
Owaisi has defended Nida Khan, claiming she is being targeted because of her religious identity and subjected to a media trial. He has called the charges against her flimsy and unsustainable, and contested claims of her being a central figure in the alleged conversion racket.
Has the AIMIM corporator been formally charged?
Yes, Nashik Police have named AIMIM corporator Mateen Patel as an accused in the case for allegedly providing shelter to Nida Khan while she was absconding. The corporator's residence is now also facing demolition action.
What is the current status of the TCS conversion case investigation?
The investigation into the alleged forced conversion network at TCS Nashik is ongoing. Nida Khan has been apprehended, and the AIMIM corporator has been named as an accused. Authorities are yet to publicly detail the full scope of the alleged network.
