NASHIK, May 12 -- A four-member National Commission for Women (NCW) fact-finding panel probing allegations of sexual exploitation and religious coercion at a TCS-linked BPO in Nashik has described the workplace environment as "deeply disturbing and toxic", citing pervasive sexual harassment, abuse of authority and fear among women employees. In its over 50-page report submitted to NCW chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar on May 5, the panel recommended strict statutory safeguards and workplace reforms to ensure "dignity and safety" of women staffers. Rahatkar later presented the report to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on May 8. The panel was constituted on April 15 and visited the BPO for two days beginning April 18, during which members interacted with complainants, the company's internal committee constituted under POSH Act, Nashik police and other witnesses. Nine staffers of the BPO have accused eight senior colleagues of sexual abuse, harassment and hurting religious sentiments at the workplace. Nashik police have arrested all eight accused. While a TCS spokesperson was not available for a comment, company insiders denied the NCW's claims about non-compliance with the POSH Act. "All the employees in the Nashik BPO had undergone POSH training which also made them aware of the mechanism to file a complaint. This training was mandatory. The posters displaying the names and contact details of IC members and even external members were displayed in the office. The CCTV cameras in the office were also operational," a person in the firm said on condition of anonymity. Earlier, a statement issued by TCS CEO and MD K Krithivasan on April 17, said that while detailed reviews were still underway, "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 channels." According to the NCW statement issued on Monday, the accused had "assumed effective control" of the Nashik office and allegedly targeted "young and vulnerable girls", subjecting them to sexual, emotional and mental harassment. The panel also cited allegations of molestation attempts. The report further alleged that three accused - Danish Sheikh, Tausif Attar and Raza Memon - exercised control over the office and were "protected" by another accused, senior staffer Ashwini Chainani. "Her silence and insensitivity endorsed the acts of the other accused," the statement said. The panel also alleged that the accused denigrated Hindu mythology, beliefs and traditions while projecting Islam as "superior", creating what it described as a coercive atmosphere through "anti-religious commentary" directed at women employees. Many women felt humiliated and feared repercussions, including termination or transfer, if they complained, the report said. The fact-finding team also found serious lapses in compliance with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. According to the statement, CCTV cameras at the workplace were non-functional and the internal committee for the Pune and Nashik offices failed to ensure compliance with the law. "Precautions must be taken to ensure that lodging a complaint does not have an adverse impact on the complainant's job. There must be a workplace safety mechanism and the CCTVs must function properly," the statement said. The panel recommended that police invoke Witness Protection Act, 2017 provisions to safeguard complainants and witnesses....