TCS POSH Panel Member Denied Bail in Nashik Harassment Case [Read Order]

A Nashik court has denied bail to Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) executive Ashwini Chainani in a workplace sexual harassment case, observing that she allegedly “turned a blind eye and a deaf ear” to repeated complaints made by a woman employee against her colleagues.

The order was passed by Additional Sessions Judge V. V. Kathare while rejecting Chainani’s bail application filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS). The case stems from FIR No. 163 of 2026 registered at Mumbai Naka Police Station, Nashik, under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

According to the prosecution, the complainant, who worked as an Associate at the TCS Nashik branch, alleged that she was subjected to repeated sexual harassment by certain male colleagues and team leaders. She claimed that despite making oral complaints to senior officials, including Ashwini Chainani, no effective steps were taken to address her grievances.

The FIR alleges that Chainani, who was a member of the POSH/Internal Committee, failed to act on the complaints and instead told the complainant to “let it go” and questioned why she wanted to remain “in the highlight.” The court observed that, rather than taking preventive measures, the applicant’s conduct allegedly emboldened the accused persons and allowed the harassment to continue unabated.

While refusing bail, the court made strong observations against the applicant, stating that despite being part of the Internal Committee, she demonstrated “insensitivity” towards the victim’s complaints and effectively shielded the accused. The court remarked that Chainani “turned a blind eye and a deaf ear to what was happening in front of her.”

The court further noted that even after the first FIR was lodged on March 25, 2026, she neither visited the Nashik office nor took appropriate steps to curb the alleged misconduct.

Chainani argued that she was posted at the Pune office, had no direct supervision over the day-to-day operations at Nashik, and had not received any written complaint regarding sexual harassment. However, the court referred to the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, observing that members of the Internal Committee are duty-bound to assist women in reducing complaints into writing where necessary.

Holding that the investigation was still at a nascent stage and that there existed a possibility of influencing witnesses or tampering with evidence, the court rejected the bail plea.

Case Title: Ashwini Ashok Chainani v. State of Maharashtra

[Read Order]