Love Jihad: Mushtaq poses as Raju, lures and kidnaps Hindu girl from Agra

In Agra district, Uttar Pradesh, a case of alleged love jihad has emerged involving a Muslim man accused of using a Hindu name to befriend and later kidnap a minor Hindu girl. The accused, Mushtaq, is reported to have posed as a Hindu named Raju, applying tilak on his forehead and wearing a sacred thread (Kalawa). The incident, which occurred on July 30, 2024, has led to protests by Hindu organisations demanding the police recover the victim promptly.

According to reports, on July 30, the father of a 14-year-old minor Hindu girl complained to Sadar Police Station in Agra. He stated that his daughter, who is in class 8, left for school at 7 AM as usual that day. However, on her way, she met Raju, also known as Mushtaq, from Farrukhabad. Mushtaq reportedly lured her away with him. The father has demanded strict action in the case.

Following the father’s complaint, Agra police registered an FIR against Mushtaq under Sections 137(2) and 87 of the Bharatiya Nayay Sanhita (BNS). Several police teams have been dispatched to track down the accused and recover the victim. As of the latest update, the accused was on the run. The police have assured the victim’s family that they are working to apprehend Mushtaq and ensure the safe recovery of the girl.

Mushtaq was employed as a driver for a doctor in Agra. The victim’s family also noted that their daughter took gold and silver jewellery from their home on the day of the incident.

In another instance of alleged “Love Jihad” in Uttar Pradesh, a minor Dalit girl narrowly escaped death at the hands of Sakib Mirza. Sakib had initially presented himself as Sagar Kumar and formed a relationship with the girl. Upon discovering his true identity, he began harassing and stalking her. Annoyed by the fact that she ceased communication with him due to his Muslim identity, Sakib attacked and assaulted the minor in the market on May 3. He threatened to kill her, prompting the filing of a case against him. Currently, Sakib has been apprehended by the police.

Love Jihad is a term defining spate of cases where Muslim men use fake identities to trap women from other religions and later force them to convert to Islam.