Mumbai, Jun 4 (PTI) The chargesheet in a TCS sexual harassment and forcible conversion case in Nashik has brought to light an orchestrated plan by the accused in targeting the victims, one of whom said she was made to watch videos of Pakistani Islamic cleric and preacher Tariq Jamil and controversial Indian preacher Zakir Naik.

The videos were shown so that the victim could learn about Islam, she said in her statement that is part of the chargesheet, which was submitted in a Nashik court last week.

In her statement, the victim told the police how the accused orchestrated a calculated psychological and religious manipulation campaign, exploiting her vulnerability under the guise of reducing her "mental stress". She said she was even "convinced" that if she accepted Islam, her mental stress would come down, and that she had slowly started believing in "those things".

The chargesheet pertains to the case registered at Deolali camp police station based on a complaint filed by a 23-year-old employee of the IT firm.

Apart from the three arrested accused - Danish Shaikh, Tausif Attar and Nida Khan - the chargesheet also mentions AIMIM corporator Matin Patel from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar as an accused in the case for allegedly sheltering Nida Khan while she was absconding.

As per the chargesheet, Patel had given shelter to Khan so that she could evade arrest, and that he did so despite being aware that her anticipatory bail plea was rejected.

During his questioning prior to Khan's arrest, when the police inquired about her whereabouts, Patel repeatedly responded: "Imtiaz Jaleel Sahib ko poochna padega (We will have to ask Imtiaz Jaleel (AIMIM's former Lok Sabha MP)." However, when interrogated thoroughly, he told the police about the place where he had given shelter to Nida Khan along with her mother, father, brother and aunt, the chargesheet said.

The victim, in her statement, told the police how the three accused orchestrated a calculated psychological and religious manipulation campaign, exploiting her vulnerability under the guise of lowering her "mental stress". Danish Shaikh, who is married, sexually exploited her on the pretext of marrying her, the statement said.

When the victim feared for her future and family acceptance, he said: "Don't be afraid, trust me, Allah is with us. Stop listening to Bhagwan songs and going to the temple; your stress will decrease." Then he told her to recite the Tasbeeh, the statement said.

According to the victim, he (Shaikh) told her, "The more you take Allah's name, your sins will be forgiven and your good deeds will increase, whether you read Astaghfar, meaning you will ask for forgiveness from Allah and your mental stress will decrease." Elaborating further, the woman told the police that Danish asked her to watch the video of Pakistani Islamic cleric, preacher and member of the Tablighi Jama'at Tariq Jamil and listen to his speeches.

The victim said Danish had taken complete information about her bank accounts and the UPI PIN, and that he was aware about the money in her bank.

"Danish had told Tausif and Nida to give me information about Islamic religion. Therefore, Tausif and Nida used to tell me about Islamic religion from time to time. Tausif told me to search for videos of Zakir Naik and Dr Israr Ahmed (Pakistani Islamic scholar) on my mobile on YouTube and listen to them, and I watched them as per his instructions," the victim said.

The chargesheet mentioned that the victim was subjected to Islamic theology, including stories of Ibrahim, Bakri Eid, Zamzam water, Qurbani, and the concepts of Jannah (heaven) and Jahannum (hell).

"I was convinced that if I accepted the Islamic religion, my mental stress would decrease. I slowly started believing in those things," the victim said.

The chargesheet includes statements of 106 witnesses, including the complainant, her mother, TCS employees/management, Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) committee members and the investigating officers of the case.

The Maharashtra government had formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) after several women employees at the Nashik unit of the IT major made allegations of exploitation, attempt at forceful conversion, hurting religious sentiments, molestation and mental harassment.

While one case was registered at the Deolali Camp police station here, eight FIRs have been registered at the Mumbai Naka police station in the city.

Some victims have also alleged that they were coerced or pressured into adopting religious practices, including praying, changing dietary habits, and adopting religious symbols.

TCS has made it clear that it adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards harassment and coercion of any form for a long time, and the employees allegedly involved in sexual harassment at the Nashik office have been suspended. PTI AVI NP