Nashik court grants bail to AIMIM corporator in TCS case

A sessions court in Nashik granted bail to AIMIM corporator Mateen Majeed Shaikh (also known as Mateen Patel) in the TCS sexual harassment case. Additional sessions judge Kedar Rajaram Joglekar observed that the investigating agency did not seek Shaikh’s arrest during the probe and that he was charged only with giving shelter to an accused. Shaikh was implicated for allegedly sheltering co-accused Nida Khan, who was evading arrest. Bar and Bench reports that the court noted Shaikh’s case differs from the other accused.

The Nashik Police registered an FIR against eight TCS employees under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act for sexual harassment and hurting religious sentiments. Hindustan Times adds that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) had questioned Shaikh four times and seized his phones. Shaikh was sent to judicial custody on August 7 after a non-bailable warrant was executed for failing to appear in court.

The court reasoned that Shaikh was jailed only for defaulting on attendance and ordered his release on a personal bond of Rs 75,000 with one or two sureties of the same amount. Shaikh must remain present at every hearing and not change his address without informing the court.