Trauma of giving birth in jail not bearable: Court on bail to TCS staffer Nida Khan
As it granted bail to a pregnant Nida Khan in a Nashik Tata Consultancy services (TCS) case, a local court observed that the trauma of
As it granted bail to a pregnant Nida Khan in a Nashik Tata Consultancy services (TCS) case, a local court observed that the trauma of giving birth in prison is unbearable for any woman, drawing a comparison with the circumstances surrounding the birth of Lord Krishna. In his order, Additional Sessions Judge (Nashik Road court) K.G. Joshi, however, noted that the overall investigation shows that Ms. Khan, with the help of co-accused, attempted to “brainwash the victim”, and tried to change her ideological views and religion. Citing the probe into a sexual harassment and alleged religious conversion case, the order also said that they tried to convince the victim that “there are objectionable stories in the Hindu religion”. While the court had granted bail to Ms. Khan, who was arrested nearly two months ago, on July 6, the reasoned order was made available on Thursday (July 9, 2026), with the Judge asserting that the FIR clearly mentions Ms. Khan’s alleged role.
The Judge allowed her plea, considering the defence argument that she was five months pregnant. “The trauma of giving birth in a prison like Lord Krishna or the related social stigma is not bearable for anyone,” the court said. “To avoid such an agonising situation and for the welcome and overall welfare of the newborn baby, it would be just and proper to exercise judicial discretion in favour of the applicant-accused,” it added. The Judge said that keeping the pregnant applicant detained would serve no purpose as the investigation was complete and the charge sheet had been filed. Besides her pregnancy, Ms. Khan’s lawyer Rahul Kasliwal also claimed that she was innocent and had been falsely implicated. He submitted that Ms. Khan was highly educated and was previously employed as an “Associate” at TCS before being terminated in April 2026. Public prosecutor Vijay Gaikwad, along with lawyers Milind Kurkute and Nitin Pandit, appearing on behalf of one of the victims, opposed the bail pleas of Ms. Khan and co-accused Danish Shaikh.
Their contention was that enough evidence of sexual assault and religious coercion came to the fore during the investigation of the case. The prosecution submitted that Mr. Shaikh gave an Islamic book and burqa to the woman victim with the motive for religious conversion. All these suggest that the woman was sexually exploited intentionally and efforts were made for her religious conversion, they argued. The court allowed Ms. Khan’ bail on a personal bond of ₹75,000 along with one solvent surety of the same amount. An SIT of the Nashik police is probing a total of nine cases registered in connection with the alleged exploitation, attempt of forceful conversion, hurting religious sentiments, molestation and mental harassment of female employees at the TCS unit. This specific case concerns the FIR registered by the Deolali Camp police station under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita provisions 69 (sexual intercourse by employing deceitful means etc.), 65 (sexual harassment), 299 (outrage religious feelings).
The BriefWire