Mateen Patel was taken into custody by a special team of Nashik city police Crime Branch. Photo: Screengrab via X/@ANI.
Police have arrested Mateen Patel, a corporator of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in connection with the TCS “sexual harassment and religious conversion” case. The arrest follows a non-bailable warrant issued against Patel for failing to appear before the court despite summons.Patel has been accused of sheltering Nida Khan, the main accused in the case, at his residence. The case pertains to allegations of harassment and coercion of women employees at the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) office in Nashik.Earlier, the district administration had demolished Patel’s house and office structures using bulldozers for alleged illegal constructions. The police action came after the court issued the warrant against him.Case details and bail for main accusedNida Khan, the primary accused in the case, received bail from the Sessions Court in July due to her pregnancy. During the hearing on July 6, the Additional Sessions Court considered the health and future of the unborn child while granting bail.The court noted that the child should not face the consequences of imprisonment or social stigma after birth. The judges also referred to the birth of Lord Krishna in a prison cell while passing the order.The case dates back to March 2024 when allegations emerged of harassment, intimidation, and pressure to convert religion at the TCS facility in Nashik. The complainant, a woman employee, alleged that Raza Rafiq Memon, the main accused, subjected her to mental harassment. The investigation revealed that Nida Khan and other colleagues supported him in the activity.Five other accused persons also received bail by the end of July from the Nashik Sessions Court.SIA investigationA Special Investigation Agency (SIA) team has been formed to conduct a detailed inquiry into the case. The SIA is currently investigating nine separate complaints, including exploitation of women employees, harassment, and hurting religious sentiments.TCS has suspended all accused employees pending the investigation. The police have filed cases at Mumbai Naka police station in Nashik related to the incident. Published - August 07, 2026 03:01 pm IST
