TCS case: Telangana Police engages with firms to ensure workplace safety
In the wake of an alleged sexual harassment and religious conversion case in the Tata Consultancy Service (TCS) Nashik unit, Telangana DGP B Shivadhar Reddy has said the state police actively engages with companies to ensure a safe environment at workplaces. Responding to a suggestion from Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar to convene an immediate meeting with heads of major IT companies, especially HR teams, following the Nashik IT firm sexual harassment case, Reddy said through initiatives like the Society for Cyberabad Security Council (SCSC)-a unique Police-Industry partnership-the Telangana Police work with organisations, HR teams and communities to strengthen workplace safety and accountability.
Proactive measures such as security and safety audits of working women’s hostels and PG accommodations, free ‘She Shuttle’ (bus) services, and ‘SHE Teams’, ensure continuous support, especially for women professionals, he said.
The Telangana DGP in a post on ‘X’ on Monday said, “The concerns raised by Honourable MoS, Home Shri @bandisanjay_bjp are noted. However, it is clarified that the Telangana Police remain firmly committed to ensuring a safe, inclusive & harassment-free environment for every citizen. We believe in coexistence with harmony, dignity & mutual respect.”
Hyderabad’s strength lies in its diversity-lakhs of professionals from across the country, regions, belonging to various religions, caste and creed contribute to its growth, the DGP further said. “Our systems are robust, responsive and fair. A fully functional Women Safety Wing, unique concept of She Team and Bharosa Centre, where every complaint is taken seriously, acted upon promptly, and no concern is overlooked,” he said.
Telangana Police will continue to work closely with citizens, communities and industry to uphold the values enshrined in the constitution, the DGP added.
The Minister of State for Home said that after the Nashik case, Telangana “cannot remain silent” and wait for a similar incident. Noting that Hyderabad has lakhs of IT employees, he said workplaces must be safe spaces for careers, not sites of coercion, harassment, religious targeting, exploitation or pressure.
In a post on ‘X’, he also urged company heads, HR personnel and managers to prioritise employee safety and dignity, encourage open reporting and address every concern with seriousness and fairness. From the Government’s side, such issues will continue to be monitored, Sanjay Kumar added.
Seven employees of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), including six men and a woman, have been arrested so far in connection with the case. Another female employee is absconding, according to investigators.
Earlier this week, the Maharashtra police formed a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the complaints lodged by eight female employees, who claimed that senior colleagues mentally and sexually harassed them, and the human resources department ignored their complaints. TCS on Sunday said that the firm has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards harassment and coercion of any form for a long time, confirming the suspension of employees allegedly involved in sexual harassment at its Nashik office.
