The city of Nashik in Maharashtra is reeling from a massive workplace harassment scandal involving a leading IT firm. Seven high-ranking officials, including six team leaders and a woman HR representative, have been arrested on charges ranging from sexual harassment and outraging modesty to rape and hurting religious sentiments. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to delve deeper into the systemic abuse.

According to the police, the harassment spanned over two to three years, primarily targeting female employees aged 18 to 25. Nine FIRs have been registered so far—eight by women and one by a man. The accused include Asif Ansari, Shafi Sheikh, Shahrukh Qureshi, Raja Memon, and Tausif Attar. In one chilling instance, a married accused allegedly raped an employee after luring her into a relationship under false pretenses.

Shockingly, the victims had previously filed formal complaints under the POSH Act, 2013, but the company’s HR department allegedly suppressed them. Consequently, an HR representative from Pune has also been arrested for obstructing justice. The SIT believes more victims may come forward as the investigation intensifies and has urged anyone with information to contact the authorities.