Daijiworld Media Network - Nashik

Nashik, Apr 25: Four suspects arrested in connection with an alleged attempt to convert a young employee working in a multinational company have been remanded to police custody till April 29 by the Nashik District Court.

After nearly one and a half hours of intense arguments from both sides, the court granted six days’ police custody to the accused.

According to the investigation, the suspects allegedly made the victim wear a religious cap and shared his photos and videos on a specific WhatsApp group. The role of this group has now come under judicial scrutiny, and the Special Investigation Team (SIT) has begun its technical analysis.

The arrested accused have been identified as Tausif Bilal Attar (37), Danish Ejaz Sheikh (32), Shah Rukh Hussain Shaukat Qureshi (34), and Raza Rafiq Memon (35). They were arrested by the SIT of the Nashik Police Commissionerate for allegedly hurting the religious sentiments of a married employee and attempting to convert him. The accused were produced before the Nashik District Court on Friday, April 24.

The hearing was conducted in-camera in the court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate S V Lad. The prosecution was represented by Assistant Director Kiran Bendbhar and Assistant Public Prosecutor Aniket Awhad. Defence arguments were presented by advocates Rahul Kasliwal, Umesh Walzhade, Baba Sayyed and Hanid Sheikh.

Meanwhile, other accused — Asif Ansari, Shafi Sheikh and company Assistant General Manager Ashnini Chainani — are currently lodged in Nashik Road Jail. Another ????? Nida Khan is absconding. Bail applications of all accused, except Nida Khan, in related offences will be heard on April 28.

Investigations revealed that a WhatsApp group named “Axis Nashik” was allegedly used to share the victim’s photos. Earlier, a report published on April 10 had highlighted the presence of a network promoting religious radicalisation through such platforms, which is now part of the ongoing probe.

Police have cited several reasons for seeking custody. These include identifying the location where the victim was made to wear the religious cap, probing claims that the victim felt intoxicated after consuming “sheer khurma” offered by the accused, and seizing vehicles used in the incidents. Authorities are also investigating a hotel where the victim was allegedly taken for non-vegetarian food and are working to recover another vehicle used during the act.

Further, police plan to seize the mobile phone of one of the accused and probe allegations that the suspects befriended the victim by discussing personal issues, offered advice related to “black magic”, and assigned him their official work. It is also alleged that incorrect reports about the victim were sent to higher authorities within the company.

The police have sought the appointment of special public prosecutor Ajay Misar through the government to handle the case.