Uttar Pradesh: Widow in Lakhimpur Kheri forced to sell house after constant harassment by Muslim community

On December 18, a widow from Basaha Mafi village in Lakhimpur Kheri’s Phoolbehad police station area posted a notice expressing her intent to sell her house. The poster reportedly cited ongoing harassment from members of the Muslim community as the reason, stating: “Fed up with harassment from Muslims, we want to sell this house.”

The woman stated that her elder daughter, who has been a victim of love jihad, is still fighting for justice. Meanwhile, she is now receiving threats that her younger daughter could also become a target of a similar incident.

The woman revealed that her younger daughter had once been subjected to an obscene incident, following which a complaint was filed against the perpetrators under the POCSO Act. “However, no action has been taken against the accused, who continue to roam freely in the village and threaten us,” she said. Notably, the police said that 3 persons were arrested in the case.

According to reports, the woman stated that she is afraid to leave her home because the accused, who is from the Muslim community and a known history sheeter, continues to intimidate her. “Despite numerous visits to the police station and the Superintendent of Police’s office, no meaningful action has been taken against the accused,” she said, accusing the authorities of inaction. She claimed that this negligence has left her vulnerable to both mental and physical harassment from influential individuals in the community.

The woman explained that her village has a predominantly Muslim population, and her family is the only Hindu household in the area. Since her husband’s death, she and her daughters have been subjected to escalating harassment by members of the Muslim community. In an interview with the media, the woman accused Imran, the grandson of the former village head Bhure, and his associates of regularly harassing her daughters. She further revealed that Imran had abducted her elder daughter twice, leading her to file multiple missing person reports.

On October 4, 2024, the woman reported that her daughters were home alone when Imran and another individual named Irshad entered her residence. They caused significant disruption, stole Rs 35,000 in cash along with jewellery, and abducted her elder daughter. It is also alleged that they sexually assaulted her younger daughter. The woman stated, “Although the police have filed a case, no substantial actions have been taken against the offenders.”

Taking cognizance of the incident, Kheri police issued a statement, confirming the arrest of three individuals in connection with the case. They also stated that an FIR had been filed under the relevant sections of the law.

The woman continues to voice her frustration over the incident, stating that despite numerous assurances from law enforcement, she is still receiving threats that her younger daughter may also be kidnapped. Feeling increasingly helpless and unsafe, she has now made the difficult decision to sell her house.