Haridwar, Feb 28 (PTI): A Muslim man was arrested in Haridwar on Friday for allegedly sexually exploiting a Hindu woman under the pretense of marriage and attempting to abduct and forcibly convert her when she insisted on the marriage, a senior police official said.
According to Haridwar’s Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Pramendra Doval, the woman managed to escape with the help of Hindu organizations and subsequently filed a police complaint. The accused was arrested following her complaint at Kankhal police station.
Details of the Case
The 22-year-old woman alleged that the accused, a 30-year-old man named Afsan, initially introduced himself as a Hindu named Arsh to befriend her at a gym. He reportedly wore a tilak on his forehead to mislead her about his religious identity.
As their relationship progressed, the man allegedly sexually exploited her under false promises of marriage. However, when she insisted on marriage, he first demanded that she convert to Islam.
When she refused, the woman alleged that the accused’s father, brother, uncle, and the village head pressured her to convert. Eventually, they allegedly kidnapped her in an attempt to forcibly convert her.
SSP Doval stated that the woman has also sought police protection, fearing threats to her life from the accused and his family.
Legal Action and Government Response
The police have registered a case under relevant sections of the IPC, including those related to rape, kidnapping, and forced religious conversion. The accused is being sent to judicial custody, and authorities have assured that strict action will be taken against all those involved.
The victim’s statement is being recorded under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).
In response to increasing incidents of forced conversion and deceitful identity concealment, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has ordered strict action against such cases.
Chief Minister’s Stand Against “Love Jihad”
CM Dhami reiterated that such crimes are part of a larger conspiracy and that his government will not tolerate them.
“People of different faiths co-exist peacefully in Uttarakhand, but cases like Love Jihad will not be tolerated. The police have been instructed to take strict action against offenders and conduct verification drives to check the backgrounds of people settling in Uttarakhand,” he said.
The state government has been actively monitoring such cases in Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Haridwar, and other districts where similar incidents have been reported.
Conclusion
The Haridwar case has once again brought the issue of forced conversions and deceitful relationships into focus. The Uttarakhand police and administration have assured that justice will be served, and strict measures will be taken to prevent such incidents in the future.
