A court in Nashik, Maharashtra, heard arguments on Monday concerning the anticipatory bail plea of Nida Aijaz Khan, accused in an alleged religious conversion and sexual harassment case linked to Tata Consultancy Services' Nashik office.
The prosecution described the case as being at a “very preliminary stage” with serious allegations involved.
Government lawyer Ajay Mishra, representing the prosecution, informed the court that the hearing was focused solely on determining the necessity of custodial interrogation for the accused. He noted that while the roles of other accused individuals were acknowledged, Monday’s arguments were confined to Nida Khan’s bail application.
He stated, “Today’s hearing was limited only to Nida. The court has cursorily seen what the role of Danish and others is. There wasn’t much debate in court on that matter because today it was limited to whether the custodial interrogation of Nida is required or not.”
The prosecution presented several points to the court, emphasising the seriousness of the case and the possibility of conversion and funding allegedly involved. Mishra commented, “The hearing for the anticipatory bail application of Accused No. 3, Nida Aijaz Khan, has taken place. In this, several points were raised by the prosecution, the main points being: it’s a very serious offence; there are possibilities of conversion; some funding has taken place…”
Mishra explained that the victim, belonging to a backward class, was allegedly pressured and influenced by the accused “under the guise of a promise by the accused to marry.” The prosecution asserted that Nida Aijaz Khan guided the victim in religious practices, including wearing a burqa, hijab, and offering namaz.
The court was informed that the accused had visited the victim’s residence and provided such training. Items such as a burqa and certain books recovered during the investigation were presented as evidence.
“Despite being from a backward class, pressure was put on her regarding how to wear a burqa, how to wear a hijab, and how to perform Namaz. Accused No. 3, Nida, went to her home and provided training for this. A burqa was given, and some books were given, which have been recovered as per the panchnama. All these things were shown to the court today,” Mishra added.
Further, the prosecution placed on record the victim’s detailed statement, recorded before a magistrate, outlining how she came into contact with the accused and subsequent developments.
Mishra detailed, “In this, the detailed statement given by the victim before the magistrate was shown, in which the victim categorically stated how she met the applicant, how the applicant threatened the victim, gave her a burqa, and downloaded Islamic reels and YouTube links onto her mobile. After that, how training for Namaz was given at home, many such things have come up in that statement, for which there is corroborative evidence from family members as well. All that evidence was placed before the court.”
The prosecution claimed the victim’s name was changed to “Haniya” as part of further activities still under investigation. It also reported preliminary findings indicating possible links in Malegaon, where documentation related to conversion may have been attempted. Mishra clarified that the investigation remains in its early stages.
He said, “The investigation also revealed that her name was kept as ‘Haniya’ and attempts were being made to convert her by doing some documentation with the help of some links in Malegaon. The investigation has reached that stage.”
Additionally, the prosecution mentioned that certain international links, including a possible connection to Malaysia, are under probe amid suspicions that the victim may have been taken abroad on the pretext of a job or promotion.
After hearing arguments from both parties, the court reserved its order on the anticipatory bail plea. The matter is scheduled for a decision on May 2, 2026.