A court in Nashik has refused to grant interim anticipatory bail to the accused, Danish Ejaz Sheikh, in the TCS Nashik conversion scandal. The order was passed on Tuesday, 21st April, by Additional Sessions Judge V V Kathare while hearing Sheikh’s plea in connection with an FIR registered at Mumbai Naka police station.
In its order issued on Tuesday, 21st April, the court said that the allegations mentioned in the FIR point towards deliberate actions intended to hurt religious feelings. The judge also noted that the case cannot be viewed in isolation, especially since there are serious allegations against the accused. “The offence charged is having wide social repercussions affecting the law and order situation in the society,” the court observed.
The court further said that granting bail at this stage could affect the investigation, which is still in its early phase. Because of this, the judge felt it would not be appropriate to release the accused right now.
Sheikh is currently in Nashik Central Jail in a separate case registered at Deolali police station, where he faces allegations of sexually harassing a female colleague.
Allegations in the FIR
The case started after a complaint was filed by a TCS employee, Krushna Mane, who said that since 2022, some of his colleagues, including Shaikh and Tausif Attar, had been making remarks that hurt his religious beliefs.
According to the complaint, the accused used offensive language about Mane’s Hindu faith while praising Islam. The FIR also claims that Mane was pressured to read the Quran and eat beef.
The complaint further mentions incidents of threats, public humiliation, and negative reports being filed against him at work. It also includes allegations of inappropriate behaviour and sexually coloured remarks directed at women employees.
Arguments in court
Sheikh, through his lawyer Umesh Walzade, argued that the charges against him are not very serious and carry a punishment of less than seven years. He also claimed that he has no past criminal record and that there is no need for any recovery from him, so he should be granted anticipatory bail.
However, public prosecutor Kiran Bendbhar opposed the plea, saying the case involves serious allegations and multiple offences. He also pointed out that a Special Investigation Team has been formed, and even the National Commission for Women has taken note of the matter. The court has now asked the police to submit their reply and scheduled the next hearing for 27th April.
