A fresh development has emerged in the high-profile Nashik religious conversion and rape case linked to a Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) office, with investigators recovering chats referring to the name "Hania" during the probe.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT), which is investigating the case, claims the chats are connected to the alleged religious conversion of the complainant and the reported change of her name. Meanwhile, the Nashik Road court is scheduled to hear accused Nida Ijaz Khan's bail plea on Saturday.
Chats emerge as key evidence
According to investigators, the SIT recovered conversations allegedly linked to the complainant's religious conversion.
Police said one of the chats allegedly showed Nida Khan telling a relative, "I am going out with Hania today..." When the relative reportedly asked, "Who is Hania?", Nida allegedly replied, "The one who converted..."
Investigators believe these messages support several crucial aspects of the case. According to the SIT, the complainant's name was allegedly changed to "Hania" as part of a wider conspiracy to alter her religious identity.
What are the allegations?
The case involves an unmarried woman employed at a multinational company. The complainant has accused the accused persons of rape and attempts to forcibly convert her religion.
An FIR was registered at the Deolali Camp Police Station on March 26, 2026. Police filed the case under charges including rape, attempt to forcibly convert religion and hurting religious sentiments.
The accused have also been booked under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) related to sexual assault, criminal conspiracy, cheating and outraging religious sentiments.
Provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act have also been invoked in the case.
1,500-page chargesheet filed
The SIT has filed a chargesheet of nearly 1,500 pages before the court, naming four accused — Danish Ejaz Sheikh, Tausif Bilal Attar, Nida Ijaz Khan and Matin Majid Patel.
Police said Danish Sheikh and Tausif Attar had already been arrested earlier in the investigation.
Nida Khan, who was allegedly absconding, was detained from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on May 7.
AIMIM corporator named in probe
Matin Patel, an AIMIM corporator from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, has also been named as a co-accused in the case.
Police alleged that Patel sheltered the absconding accused. Nashik Police have issued him a notice asking him to appear for questioning.
Investigators said Nida Khan was arrested from Patel's residence earlier this month.
Considering the seriousness of the allegations, Nashik Superintendent of Police Sandeep Karnik had constituted a Special Investigation Team to probe the case. The SIT is headed by Assistant Commissioner of Police Sandeep Mitke.
Officials said the investigation is ongoing and further legal proceedings will depend on the outcome of the court hearings, including Nida Khan's bail application.
