In the Saran district of Bihar, a case involving “love jihad” has emerged. A dalit woman claims she was converted to Islam through nikah, only to be abandoned by her husband later. She asserts that the accused coerced her into eloping when she was still a minor, subjecting her to physical and sexual abuse for several months. The situation escalated when the accused, after killing their son, deserted her. It was only then that the woman reached out to the police. Currently, the accused is on the run, and law enforcement teams are actively searching for him.
What says the FIR?
On November 17, 2023, an FIR (number: 301/2023) was filed at the Isuapur police station in Chhapra, Saran district.
The victim, Aarti, explained in her complaint that in August 2021, while still a minor, her neighbour Arman Ali (22), son of Naushad Mansuri, manipulated her into eloping to Mumbai (Nalasopara). Despite her pleas to return home, he refused, and eventually, she reluctantly accepted the situation.
For over a year, Arman maintained a relationship with Aarti without formalising their union through marriage, engaging in regular physical intimacy. On September 8, 2022, he brought her to court, where she was converted to Islam, assumed the name Tamanna, and officially married him. Aarti, unfamiliar with anyone in Mumbai, consistently pleaded with Arman to take her home.
When Arman’s family visited Mumbai, she sought their help, but none agreed to assist her in returning home. Arman subjected her to physical abuse, including the use of a belt, and refused to seek medical attention for her injuries. Aarti, grappling with despair, attempted suicide on multiple occasions.
Arman also impregnated her, leading to the birth of a baby boy. Sadly, the infant passed away, and Arti attributes the tragedy to Arman’s irresponsible behaviour.
On November 15, 2023, Arman claimed he was taking her to Siligudi to visit his grandfather’s house and took her savings amounting to Rs 30,000. However, they made an unexpected stop at a hotel in Bhakura Bhiti, where Arman disappeared. Concerned, the woman contacted the police to report his disappearance.
No accused arrested so far
In this matter, the Station House Officer (SHO) Mihir Kumar said that an FIR has been registered and the matter is being investigated. At present, the woman is with her parents at their home.
The complainant has identified her husband, Arman Ali, along with her mother-in-law, Majeeda Khatun, father-in-law, Naushad Mansuri, and brother-in-law, Irfan Mansuri, as the accused parties.
In accordance with her allegations, all the accused have been charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 341 (wrongful restraint), 420 (cheating), 498(A) (cruelty towards women), 504 (intentional insult), 506 (criminal intimidation), 34 (commission of an act by several persons with a common intention), and sections 3/4 of the Dowry Act.
As per the reports, in July, Aarti gave birth to a child, for whose murder she blames her husband. Aarti also has a child, whom Armaan killed after a few days by giving him a poisonous injection. According to Arti, the child was completely healthy. But after the injection, dark spots started appearing on his body. After that he died.
Arti was forced to wear burqa & offer namaz
On November 30, Aarti informed Organiser that she was compelled by Arman to don a burqa and offer namaz. He himself taught her how to offer namaz. Refusal to adhere to Islamic practices resulted in physical abuse from Arman. When questioned about why she eloped with him, she revealed that it was not her desire but a consequence of his threats to abduct her and harm her family, compelling her to comply.
Arman took her to religious sites, urging her to work there as it would secure her place in Jannat (paradise). Asserting his exclusive rights after their marriage, he claimed that only he had authority over her, even in death. He menacingly warned that if she ever dared to leave him, he would resort to dismembering her.
Aarti lived in fear of Arman, enduring beatings with various objects, ranging from belts to rods, and was also coerced into working as a labourer in Mumbai.
Aarti belongs to Chamar jati, irrespective of her coming from a scheduled caste background the police did not invoke the sections of the SC-ST Act in the FIR. Organiser tried calling the SHO but the calls went unanswered, we will update the report with his statement.
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