In a shocking turn of events, two Hindu girls eloped with three Muslim men in Uttar Pradesh’s Jaunpur on July 2 but were safely recovered by the police from Varanasi. The minors were wearing burqas at the time of the abduction. The accused men have been arrested by the police, and the girls have been handed over to their respective families.
A First Information Report (number: 246/2024) was registered at the Kerakat police station on July 2 by the fathers of the minor victims, Deep Chandra Chaurasiya and Deepak Dixit.
In their complaint, the fathers stated that their 15-year-old daughters, who are classmates in class 10, did not return home after school on July 2. The girls had taken an auto-rickshaw towards Khyujji’s turn after school ended at around 12 pm. Local CCTV footage showed them getting into the auto. Around the same time, Deepak’s daughter called him before she became untraceable. The parents demanded from the police to track their daughters, who had not returned home.
The victims live in the Chaura and Khannadih area whereas the accused live in the Kusaila area.
A case was registered under Section 137(2) (kidnapping any person from India or from lawful guardianship) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
On July 5, Organiser called Station House Officer Dilip Kumar Singh, who stated that the victims would record their statements in front of the magistrate on July 6. He added that the investigation is ongoing and that all the accused will be apprehended.
Organiser contacted the fathers of the minor victims on July 5, after the girls had safely returned home.
Deep Chandra Chourasiya informed this correspondent that his daughter had been influenced by her friend and eloped with the men from school.
According to information received by Organiser, the accused have been identified as Mohammad Waseem, Amjad, and Zeeshan, while their identities are yet to be confirmed. The police have not disclosed the names of the detained suspects. The role of the parents of the accused is also being investigated.
Chourasiya mentioned that the minors were rescued from Varanasi. He clarified that the accused are not classmates of the minors but are auto drivers aged between 25-30. These men had been picking the girls up from their classes and coaching sessions.
One of the girls had exchanged her phone number with the men, leading to the start of a friendship. The accused offered the girls gifts, flattered them with kind words, and made other promises to convince them to leave with them.
Despite coming from well-to-do families, the girls were persuaded to go with the auto drivers. The minor was in a distressed state, and her father could not allow her to be interviewed.
Chourasiya, who is a teacher by profession, stated that all his family members work in the education sector. He expressed his shock and dismay at his daughter’s grooming and manipulation, which has tarnished his image in the society.
He was relieved that his daughter was rescued safely, but he claimed, “If they hadn’t been found, those men would have sold her.”
He repeatedly expressed how devastated he felt, stating that the incident has severely impacted their family’s reputation, especially that of their daughters. He confirmed that his daughter did not have a mobile phone as she was in the tenth grade, and accused Deepak’s daughter of manipulating her.
Organiser contacted Deepak on July 5, but he was unable to speak as he was busy with court proceedings.
According to Chourasiya, the locality where Deepak lives has a significant Muslim population, and it was from there that the grooming of the minors began. He believes this could have led to trafficking and other serious consequences.
This is a developing story, Organiser will update the report with further details as they become available.
