Nashik

Asit granted bail to a pregnant Nida Khan in a Nashik TCS case, a local court observed that the trauma of giving birth in prison is unbearable for any woman, drawing a comparison with the circumstances surrounding the birth of Lord Krishna.

In his order, Additional Sessions Judge (Nashik Road court) K G Joshi, however, noted that the overall investigation shows that Khan, with the help of co-accused, attempted to “brainwash the victim”, and tried to change her ideological views and religion. Citing the probe into a sexual harassment and alleged religious conversion case, the order also said that they tried to convince the victim that “there are objectionable stories in the Hindu religion”. While the court had granted bail to Khan, who was arrested nearly two months ago, on July 6, the reasoned order was made available on Thursday, with the judge asserting that the FIR clearly mentions Khan’s alleged role. The judge allowed her plea, considering the defence argument that she was five months pregnant. “The trauma of giving birth in a prison like Lord Krishna or the related social stigma is not bearable for anyone,” the court said.

“To avoid such an agonising situation and for the welcome and overall welfare of the newborn baby, it would be just and proper to exercise judicial discretion in favour of the applicant-accused,” it added. The judge said that keeping the pregnant applicant detained would serve no purpose as the investigation was complete and the charge sheet had been filed.

Besides her pregnancy, Khan’s lawyer Rahul Kasliwal also claimed that she was innocent and had been falsely implicated. He submitted that Khan was highly educated and was previously employed as an “Associate” at TCS before being terminated in April 2026.

Public prosecutor Vijay Gaikwad, along with lawyers Milind Kurkute and Nitin Pandit, appearing on behalf of one of the victims, opposed the bail pleas of Khan and co-accused Danish Shaikh. Their contention was that enough evidence of sexual assault and religious coercion came to the fore during the investigation of the case.

The court allowed Khan’ bail on a personal bond of Rs. 75,000 along with one solvent surety of the same amount.