A TCS-like scandal in Nagpur: How NGO chief sexually abused women, coerced them to convert

After the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) scandal, now a similar controversy in Nagpur has come to light.

The head of an NGO based in Nagpur has been arrested on charges of sexual abuse, forced conversion and cyberstalking. The accused, identified as Riyaz Fazil Qazi, is head of the NGO Universal Multipurpose Society.

The NGO near Mankapur in northwest Nagpur has been in operation since 2010. It claims to work for education, health camps, and welfare programmes for children from economically weaker sections. The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) is also investigating the NGO and its finances.

But what do we know about the case?

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Let’s take a closer look:

Nagpur NGO Case

According to the NGO website, Qazi holds a Bachelor’s degree and Master’s in Social Work from RTM University, Nagpur.  He has served as project director for  the Swami Vivekananda Old Age Home), District Coordinator for Amravati in a Axshaya(Tuberculosis) National Health Project conducted by MAMTA Health Institute for Mother & Child Delhi.

According to The Times of India, the First Information Report (FIR) was registered at Mankapur police station late on Saturday night. Qazi has been charged under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, including assault on a woman, outraging modesty, obscene acts, hurting religious sentiments, and defamation. He has also been charged under provisions of the Information Technology Act for allegedly misusing social media to stalk women.

The main complainant is a 23-year-old woman working as an administration and HR head in the organisation since September 2023. According to the FIR, the complainant alleges that on her birthday on July 18, 2024, she was summoned to the accused’s cabin after celebrations in the office. She claimed that Qazi hugged her without her consent, kissed her forehead, and said, "I don't want to leave you today.” The complainant said she did not speak up out of fear of losing her job.

The complainant further claimed that similar incidents occurred repeatedly. This included repeated attempts by Qazi to hug her, including once after unplugging CCTV cameras. She claimed that he would obtain personal information about her through others. She said he began behaving rudely towards her after she turned down his advances.

The complainant has claimed that several other women have had similar experiences. This includes her older sister, who joined the NGO later as an assistant project manager. She said her sister was pressured by Qazi to follow certain religious practices, including reciting prayers of a particular religion during work-related travel and wearing certain types of clothing. The complainant’s sister eventually resigned within two months, allegedly over the accused’s behaviour.

According to Moneycontrol, the complainant accused Qazi of creating a fake Instagram account using parts of both their names to keep a tab on the activities of female staff and volunteers associated with the NGO.

The complainant has claimed that several other women have had similar experiences. Representational image

The report quoted the complainant as saying that several other women employees faced similar experiences. A 24-year-old teacher who worked with the NGO in 2024 is said to have resigned due to Qazi’s conduct. Some staff members also allegedly were uncomfortable with Qazi’s behaviour and attempts to impose religious customs.

An alleged phone call made on April 13 to the mother of a former employee is also drawing concern. According to the complaint, Qazi used derogatory language, labelling the ex-employee, her sister, their friends and their associates as "call girls" and "prostitutes", involved in "night activities", and telling the family to keep a distance from them.

An audio recording of a similar conversation allegedly circulated among colleagues a few days later. When the affected individuals visited the NGO office on April 18, they found it closed and subsequently approached the police, according to the report.

Senior police inspector Haresh Kalsekar said more women have started coming forward with complaints. “We produced the accused before the court, which granted custody till April 23. The investigation will continue from multiple angles,” he was quoted as saying by The Times of India.

TCS case

Nine employees — eight women and one man — at Tata Consultancy Services’ Nashik office have filed FIRs against senior staff. They have made a slew of allegations, including molestation, stalking, being forced to eat non-vegetarian food, and being coerced into offering namaz.

The SIT is probing a total of nine cases registered in connection with the alleged exploitation, attempted forceful conversion, hurting of religious sentiments, molestation and mental harassment of female employees at the TCS unit.

TCS has clarified that it has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards harassment and coercion of any form for a long time, and the employees allegedly involved in sexual harassment at the Nashik office have been suspended.

Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran had termed sexual harassment as “gravely concerning and anguishing”, and announced that a thorough internal investigation was underway to establish the facts and identify individuals responsible for the situation.

Women employees from TCS have filed FIRs in the ongoing Nashik sexual harassment cases between 2022 and 2026. The firm has said that it has not received any complaints through its internal ethics or Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) channels. File photo/Reuters

TCS on Friday said that it had not received any complaints through its internal channels on the matter. According to a preliminary probe, the company was not in receipt of any complaints, as alleged, a statement said.

“A preliminary review of the systems and records pertaining to the Nashik unit indicates that we have not received any complaints of the nature that are being alleged on either our ethics or POSH (prevention of sexual harassment) channels,” it said. The country’s largest IT services company also announced an oversight panel and engagement of external entities in its internal probe.

FAQs

1. Who is Riyaz Fazil Qazi?

Riyaz Fazil Qazi is the head of the Nagpur-based NGO Universal Multipurpose Society. He is currently facing multiple criminal charges.

2. What allegations have been made in the Nagpur NGO case?

The allegations include sexual abuse, forced religious conversion, cyberstalking, harassment, and misuse of social media.

3. What action has been taken in the Nagpur NGO case?

Police have registered an FIR and arrested the accused. The investigation is ongoing, with more complainants reportedly coming forward.

With inputs from agencies