Another tragic incident involving an interfaith relationship has ended with the death of the Hindu partner. In a recent case from the Ghaziabad district of Uttar Pradesh, 30-year-old Puja Devi, a Dalit (Jatav) woman, was killed by her husband/live-in partner, 35-year-old Mohammad Alam.
Alam, who was already married, kept Puja as his second option. When she asked for more of his time, he killed her. Alam has confessed to the crime and has been arrested by the police.
What says the FIR?
A First Information Report (FIR number: 549/2024) was filed at the Vijay Nagar Police Station on July 22. In her complaint, Puja’s sister, Poonam, informed the police that Puja had been missing since July 19. She named several individuals, including Mohammad Alam, Alam’s friend Sadat, Alam’s wife, Alam’s mother, his brother Noor Alam, and others.
Based on the complaint, Mohammad Alam has been charged under Section 140(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which pertains to kidnapping or abduction for murder or ransom.
(Organiser has a copy of the FIR)
How Puja and Alam met
According to Poonam, before starting work at the parlour, Puja worked as a cook in several households. She also cooked at a company where Alam was employed as a security guard. Poonam would often accompany Puja on her way to the company and noticed that Puja seemed to smile whenever she saw Alam. Poonam recalled advising Puja, “I told her not to trust Alam, as ‘mullas‘ cannot be trusted and that she should stay away from him.”
Later, Poonam stopped accompanying Puja, and Puja eventually began working at the parlour.
What changed with Puja?
Poonam noted that while Puja was living alone, she would wear dresses, jeans, tops, and suits. However, once she came into contact with Alam, her attire changed drastically. She started wearing traditional Muslim suits, covering her head with a dupatta and styling it like a hijab. Her daughters also began wearing suits, with the younger one exclusively dressed in them.
Puja stopped visiting her sisters’ and brothers’ homes. Even during Rakshabandhan, she would insist on not taking pictures. It was clear she was living under significant pressure.
Poonam added, “I never saw Puja wearing vermilion or a nuptial chain, and she even abandoned her toe rings, which are significant in our tradition. I am certain Alam must have also made her wear a burqa.”
She recalled, “Once, I visited her house and was taking off my slippers, I noticed a Laddu Gopal idol on the shoe shelf. I asked Puja about it, but she did not respond. It seemed that Puja hid the Laddu Gopal when Alam visited. Disturbed by this, I asked her to give me the idol so I could take proper care of it.”
She added that although there were no signs or pictures of Islamic deities and texts in the house, visiting Puja made her feel like she was visiting a Muslim household. There was a peculiar smell of itra, henna on her hands, and an unusual home setting, which is not typically found in Hindu households that often resonate with positivity.
Manipulation and passive conversion
Poonam revealed that Alam was not only manipulating Puja and isolating her from her family but also administering some form of medication and using other methods of control.
She claimed that the police had discovered tavij and other items that indicated such practices. She noted that dealing with Puja became increasingly difficult, as it seemed she was under someone else’s control, rejecting everything her family said and only accepting Alam’s perspective.
She had posted some videos on Instagram wearing a hijab. However, when Sumit checked on July 25, he discovered that he had been unfollowed and Puja’s account had been set to private. This suggests that either Puja was made to do it or Alam did it.
Did the family try to caution Puja?
Poonam explained, “When I found out that Puja was living with Alam, I made every effort to warn her. I mentioned the case of Shraddha Walker and how she was murdered, emphasising that these men cannot be trusted, especially since Alam was already married.”
Despite their attempts to caution her, Puja did not listen. She would respond, “He may be bad for others, but he does everything for me, so I trust him completely.”
Poonam described how all of them tried to convince Puja and warn her about Alam and individuals like him.
However, it felt as though Puja was under a spell. She would become annoyed at their interventions, while Alam’s presence provided her with a sense of comfort despite the turmoil he caused her.
Was Alam abusive?
According to Poonam, Puja’s 11-year-old daughter disclosed that Alam regularly abused and assaulted her mother. A single night would not pass without abuse and assault. Every time he visited, he would demand more money and take all the earnings from the parlour.
Poonam informed this correspondent that Puja’s daughter also revealed that Alam had molested her. On several occasions, he touched her inappropriately, especially her upper body, which resulted in numerous fights between Puja and Alam.
The children had not shared these experiences with anyone outside the family until after a visit to the police station. They were terrified to see the police for the first time.
Sumit Kumar, Punam’s husband and Puja’s brother-in-law supports the children’s statements and vows to fight for justice. When asked if the minor boy had been circumcised, Sumit said no.
Why was Puja killed?
Alam told the police that Puja’s persistent demands for him to leave his wife and children and live with her annoyed him, leading him to decide to kill her.
Sumit believes that there were other individuals involved in this planned murder and that it was not an impulsive act but rather a premeditated one. He said, “A few days before Puja went missing, they had returned from Mussorie. Alam had planned to kill Puja and the children there but was unsuccessful.”
Sumit added that the murder was not a result of Puja’s requests for him to visit her; rather, Alam had already exploited her and decided it was time to eliminate her.
Puja’s tragic past
Puja and Poonam, along with their five siblings—three sisters and two brothers—lost their father in 2001, shortly after Poonam’s marriage. Within two years of their father’s death, their mother also passed away. Since then, the siblings have taken on various odd jobs, such as fieldwork and cooking, to support themselves. Despite their hardships, they managed to arrange marriages for Puja and the two brothers.
Sumit, explained that after her marriage, Puja faced a difficult life with an abusive husband. Despite her efforts to improve their situation and the birth of three children, the abuse continued. After her husband sold their house, Puja filed for divorce and has been living alone in Ghaziabad for nearly five years.
Alam’s confession
According to Alam’s confession, after killing Puja, he pushed her body into the Gang Nahar. It has been five days since Puja went missing, and the police have not yet found her body.
In his confession to the police, Alam stated: “Puja was living with me for almost four years. I married Puja about six months ago. She had three children from her first husband, Titu. After that, she lived with me. I am already married; my wife’s name is Shana, and we have four children. One of my sons, Jibral, aged about four years, has been ill for the last several days. I was getting treatment for him at Family Medicare Center, Main Road Mussoorie, Ghaziabad.”
“Puja was living with me at Childoon Academy School, Ghaziabad, near Sector-09. She often insisted that I leave my wife Shana and stay with her. This led to frequent arguments. One day, Puja called me, demanding that I come home. I told her that my son was in the hospital and I couldn’t come. Puja got angry and said she had been ill for many days, but I didn’t visit her. She threatened to come to the hospital and confront me there. Despite my attempts to calm her, she remained adamant, which made me furious. I decided to deal with her once and for all.”
#PoliceCommissionerateGhaziabad
थाना विजयनगर पुलिस टीम द्वारा महिला की गुमशुदगी/अपहरण की घटना का अनावरण, एक अभियुक्त गिरफ्तार व घटना में प्रयुक्त कार बरामद।@Uppolice pic.twitter.com/Tm9d3ErM25
— POLICE COMMISSIONERATE GHAZIABAD (@ghaziabadpolice) July 24, 2024
“Just before reaching the hospital, I made Puja sit in my Santro car, number DL2CA9934, and drove her from Mussoorie Canal towards Dehra Jhal. We argued continuously on the way. Seizing an opportunity, I strangled her to death with a chunni, and then I took her body and threw it into the canal from the bridge near Nagla Chauna village,” he added.
Police solved the case
Deputy Commissioner of Police (City Zone) Rajesh Kumar told the media that on July 19, Mohammad Alam had repaired a customer’s Santro car and drove it to a hospital in Masoori where his son was being treated for a liver infection. According to the investigation, around 8:00 pm, Puja contacted Alam and insisted he return home. He refused, stating he was going to see his son, which led to a dispute. Puja then said she would also visit the hospital.
Kumar added, “After the second missing person complaint, the police grew suspicious and interrogated Alam extensively. He eventually confessed to killing Puja. Alam stated that Devi had been pressuring him to stay with her and not visit his hospitalised son, leading to an argument near the hospital. At around 9:30 pm, Puja arrived at the hospital. Alam asked her to wait outside and later took her in the Santro car towards the Gang canal. During the journey, they continued to argue. Alam admitted that he strangled Puja to death in the car on the night of July 22 and then disposed of her body in the canal.”
The official continued, “The suspect committed the murder on an isolated road near the canal and dumped the body, which has not yet been recovered. We have seized the car used in the crime and arrested Alam on charges of murder and destruction of evidence.” An FIR has been registered, and Alam has been charged under Section 140(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The police are currently searching for the body, and further charges under BNS Section 103 (punishment for murder) are expected to be added.
Is the case really solved?
For the police, the case might seem resolved: the accused has been arrested, has confessed, and has been presented before a magistrate for further court proceedings. However, for the victim’s family, the case is far from over.
In an interview with Organiser on July 25, Sumit stated: “The police showed us CCTV footage indicating that Alam left home with Puja and returned only seven minutes later, after allegedly killing her and disposing of her body in the canal. As someone who drives, I know it is virtually impossible to accomplish this in such a short time. There are other individuals involved in this case, and a thorough investigation will reveal their identities.”
Sumit added that Alam had only dumped Puja’s mobile phone in the canal for location, the body is elsewhere.
Kumar further explained, “Puja was previously married but separated from her husband nearly five years ago. She had three children from that marriage: a son and two daughters, the eldest of whom is 11 years old. After the separation, Puja began working in a beauty parlour and lived in a rented place. The family was unaware of her relationship status with Alam, whether she was living with him or married to him.”
Was it ever possible to save Puja?
Poonam reflected, “Had I known about Alam and Puja’s situation earlier, I would have done everything in my power to help her. Even after discovering the situation later, I tried to contact her daily to persuade her to leave Alam. Initially, she listened, but eventually, she stopped taking my calls. I persisted for nearly two years before I finally gave up.”
She added, “My brothers also tried to convince her, but none of our efforts were successful.”
Poonam criticised Alam, saying, “Ye mulle dikhate hain ke wo bohot caring hain aur pyar karte hain, esa kuch bhi nahi hota hai, ye bas hindu ki ladkiyon ko phasate hai uske jisam se khelte hain, koi pyar ni krte.” (These men pretend to be very caring and loving, but it’s all a facade. They deceive Hindu women, exploit their bodies, and do not genuinely care for them.)
When asked if she was familiar with the term ‘Love Jihad,’ Poonam said she was not.
However, she was aware of cases like Shraddha Walker’s and other similar incidents involving Hindu women.
The correspondent explained the concept of Love Jihad to her. Poonam then inquired about the possibility of enrolling Puja’s children in a government school and whether they could receive any financial assistance. She kept on insisting that the case is not closed yet and needs deeper investigation.
Similar cases from the past
- In May 2024, a Hindu woman named Singam Mamatha was found dead under suspicious circumstances in the Jagtial district. Initially thought to be a suicide, the discovery of stab wounds in her abdomen led authorities to investigate it as a murder. The police suspected an extramarital affair as the motive. A man named Abdul Apsar, who was in a relationship with Mamatha, surrendered in connection with the case.
- On May 18, 2022, 28-year-old Aaftab Poonawala strangled his live-in partner Shraddha over an argument and then proceeded to dismember her body into 35 pieces, allegedly charring her face to hide her identity. A 300-litre fridge was used to store her body parts, which were individually disposed in the Chhatarpur forest over the next 18 days, at around 2 AM every night to avoid suspicion. According to the police officials quoted in media, he stated that even if he is hanged for the murder of Shraddha, he would not be sorry since he will be remembered as a hero when he enters paradise and will be offered ‘Hoors’ in ‘Jannat.’
- On August 31, Pinki Gupta was found dead under mysterious circumstances in her room in the Vaishali area. Her family accused one Sakib Khan, who was in an alleged live-in relationship with the woman. undefined on the complaint, the police arrested the prime accused in this case under charges of the abetment to suicide.
- On 8 February 2023, Prabha Bharti, a police constable from Katihar was shot dead by a man identified as Mohammad Hasan alias Hasan Arshad. The accused had been stalking her for quite some time and was pressuring her to get married to him. He used to threaten to make her private videos public and ultimately murdered her by firing two bullets into her head.
- On May 28 in the evening hours at Rohini’s Shahbad Dairy area a 16-year-old girl was brutally stabbed more than 20 times by her jilted lover right outside her home. The accused identified as Sahil Khan whose picture wearing Kalawa went viral on the internet. The murder was so brutal that even the post-mortem report of the minor Hindu girl made it headlines.
Organiser has compiled a list of 60 such cases where Hindu woman have lost their lives after coming in a relationship with a Muslim man. Find the link of the report here.
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