Nashik, Internal professional rivalry and office politics are the motive for the "false" sexual harassment and conversion allegations levelled against TCS employee Raza Rafiq Memon, his family said on Sunday, describing him as a "high performer".
Speaking to PTI, Memon's uncle Ayaz Kazi said the case was part of a coordinated "conspiracy" spurred by Memon's academic and professional performance.
Memon, who is currently in police custody until April 20, is among eight individuals arrested following allegations of sexual harassment and coercion to convert at a unit of Tata Consultancy Services in Nashik.
He was leading the team that included both the complainant and the prime accused, Danish Shaikh.
Memon’s family stated that the primary allegations are against Shaikh, adding that if he is found guilty, he should not be spared.
"However, the allegation against my nephew may be part of a coordinated conspiracy driven by academic and professional performance," Kazi said.
Memon hails from a humble background and topped an internal exam at the firm last year, which could have triggered jealousy among the other colleagues, the uncle said.
"He became a topper, and that didn't sit well with others in the company. This looks like a frame-up born out of office politics," he said.
Kazi described his nephew as "helpful," citing chats between the complainants and Memon that he said show he allowed them to leave early for their personal reasons.
Memon always obliged and would coordinate with the other team members, he said.
"As a team leader, his focus was strictly on sales targets and team productivity. There was no indication of any inappropriate interaction outside of these professional requests," he added.
Memon's family members also made claims of communal discrimination in the case against him. Kazi claimed that the people above Memon in the hierarchy were from different faiths, yet no action had been taken against them.
He said that Memon's inclusion in the matter is a "planned conspiracy" to derail the careers of high-performing employees.
A family member of another accused called him innocent. He has been "framed" because he used to hang out with Danish, the relative said. "He is a practising person and could not have done such a thing," the family member said.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Nashik police has arrested eight individuals, including a female operations manager, after registering nine FIRs in connection with allegations of exploitation, attempted forced conversion, hurting religious sentiments, molestation, and mental harassment of female employees at a unit of Tata Consultancy Services.
The Nashik police have also formed three teams to track down another accused, Nida Khan. Officials said the teams have been sent to multiple locations, with one reaching Mumbra near Thane.
Meanwhile, Khan has moved an anticipatory bail application before the Nashik sessions court, which is scheduled to hear the plea on Monday.
Her lawyer has denied the allegations, arguing that she cannot be accused of outraging the modesty of another woman. The plea also cites her two-month-old pregnancy as grounds for bail.
TCS, for its part, said it has long maintained a zero-tolerance policy towards harassment and coercion of any kind, and confirmed that the employees allegedly involved in the sexual harassment case at its Nashik office have been suspended.
The company said on Friday that a preliminary review of the records indicated that it had not received any complaints "of the nature that are being alleged on either our ethics or POSH (prevention of sexual harassment) channels".
The country's largest IT services firm has also announced an oversight panel and engagement of external entities in its internal probe, it added.
Speaking to PTI, Memon's uncle Ayaz Kazi said the case was part of a coordinated "conspiracy" spurred by Memon's academic and professional performance.
Memon, who is currently in police custody until April 20, is among eight individuals arrested following allegations of sexual harassment and coercion to convert at a unit of Tata Consultancy Services in Nashik.
He was leading the team that included both the complainant and the prime accused, Danish Shaikh.
Memon’s family stated that the primary allegations are against Shaikh, adding that if he is found guilty, he should not be spared.
"However, the allegation against my nephew may be part of a coordinated conspiracy driven by academic and professional performance," Kazi said.
Memon hails from a humble background and topped an internal exam at the firm last year, which could have triggered jealousy among the other colleagues, the uncle said.
"He became a topper, and that didn't sit well with others in the company. This looks like a frame-up born out of office politics," he said.
Kazi described his nephew as "helpful," citing chats between the complainants and Memon that he said show he allowed them to leave early for their personal reasons.
Memon always obliged and would coordinate with the other team members, he said.
"As a team leader, his focus was strictly on sales targets and team productivity. There was no indication of any inappropriate interaction outside of these professional requests," he added.
Memon's family members also made claims of communal discrimination in the case against him. Kazi claimed that the people above Memon in the hierarchy were from different faiths, yet no action had been taken against them.
He said that Memon's inclusion in the matter is a "planned conspiracy" to derail the careers of high-performing employees.
A family member of another accused called him innocent. He has been "framed" because he used to hang out with Danish, the relative said. "He is a practising person and could not have done such a thing," the family member said.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Nashik police has arrested eight individuals, including a female operations manager, after registering nine FIRs in connection with allegations of exploitation, attempted forced conversion, hurting religious sentiments, molestation, and mental harassment of female employees at a unit of Tata Consultancy Services.
The Nashik police have also formed three teams to track down another accused, Nida Khan. Officials said the teams have been sent to multiple locations, with one reaching Mumbra near Thane.
Meanwhile, Khan has moved an anticipatory bail application before the Nashik sessions court, which is scheduled to hear the plea on Monday.
Her lawyer has denied the allegations, arguing that she cannot be accused of outraging the modesty of another woman. The plea also cites her two-month-old pregnancy as grounds for bail.
TCS, for its part, said it has long maintained a zero-tolerance policy towards harassment and coercion of any kind, and confirmed that the employees allegedly involved in the sexual harassment case at its Nashik office have been suspended.
The company said on Friday that a preliminary review of the records indicated that it had not received any complaints "of the nature that are being alleged on either our ethics or POSH (prevention of sexual harassment) channels".
The country's largest IT services firm has also announced an oversight panel and engagement of external entities in its internal probe, it added.
