In the Hardoi district of Uttar Pradesh, a concerning case involving allegations of “love jihad” has surfaced. Shoaib, a man from the Firozabad district, has been accused of forcibly converting an 18-year-old Dalit girl to Islam. The victim’s father revealed distressing details, stating that his daughter experienced sexual abuse and was compelled to consume beef. Authorities were alerted, and on December 4, it was confirmed that a case had been registered, prompting an ongoing investigation. Notably, women are also implicated as perpetrators in this incident.
The incident reportedly unfolded in a village near the Sursa police station in the Hardoi district. On June 17, the accused, hailing from Firozabad, abducted the girl from Sonepat. Despite efforts by her family to locate her, their search proved unsuccessful. It’s noteworthy that the victim’s father, who supports the family by working in a factory in the Sonepat district of Haryana, has shed light on this distressing situation.
However, on December 3, she autonomously returned to her hamlet in Hardoi and revealed a harrowing experience. The perpetrator had taken her to Firozabad, where she was coerced into converting to Islam and consuming beef. Subsequently, she was forced into marriage, and the offender subjected her to sexual abuse, along with physical and mental torment, involving Shoaib and his entire family. Seizing an opportunity on December 3, she sought refuge at her aunt’s (mother’s sister) house before eventually returning to her village. There, she recounted the entire traumatic ordeal to her family.
When the culprit and his family couldn’t locate her at their residence in Firozabad, they traced her back to Hardoi. A forcible attempt to take the teenager from her home ensued, leading to a confrontation between the two parties. Concerned locals dialed 112 to report the dispute, prompting the swift arrival of the police. Three individuals engaging in the argument were promptly arrested, while others scattered upon the police intervention.
A case has been initiated by the police against Shoaib, Najma Khan, Aqib, Reshma, and Mehraj, along with five other unidentified individuals, based on the victim’s complaint. The charges encompass various sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, and the Uttar Pradesh Law Against Religious Conversion Act. Currently, three perpetrators are already in police custody.
Nripendra Singh, the Additional Superintendent of Police in Hardoi, stated that the matter is under investigation, and appropriate legal action will be pursued. He further mentioned that the police are actively searching for the offenders who are currently absconding.
