A district court in Indore sentenced a woman, her paramour, and another accomplice to ten years of imprisonment for forcibly subjecting her 8-year-old son to circumcision and enrolling him in a madrasa in an attempt to convert him to Islam. The judgment, pronounced on February 18, 2025, by Justice Jitendra Kushwaha, comes as a landmark decision in cases of forced religious conversion.
The case was first reported by Organiser on July 20, 2023. The convicted individuals include Prarthana Nahata (27), her Muslim boyfriend Iliyas Ahmed Qureshi (33), and one Mohammad Zafar Ali. The trio was found guilty under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including forgery and fraud, as well as violations of the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act.
Victim’s Father Speaks Out
In an exclusive conversation with Organiser, the complainant, Mahesh Jain, who is the father of the minor victim, expressed both relief and continued concern. He detailed the immense pressure and injustice inflicted upon him and his son by his ex-wife and her partner. While he welcomed the maximum punishment handed to the accused under the current charges, he emphasised that this was not the end of his fight for justice.
Mahesh further alleged that Iliyas Ahmed Qureshi is a repeat offender, having previously been sentenced to ten years under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. He also made shocking revelations about Qureshi’s alleged links to the banned radical Islamic organisation Popular Front of India (PFI).
According to Mahesh, the case is not limited to personal wrongdoing but is part of a larger network involving influential figures and political connections.
Court Ruling and Sentencing Details
As per the court order (Case No: 693/2023, linked to FIR No: 572/2023), the three accused have been sentenced to:
- 10 years imprisonment under IPC Sections 467 (forgery) and 471 (fraudulent use of forged documents)
- 7 years imprisonment under Madhya Pradesh’s anti-conversion law
- A fine of Rs 5,000 each for violating laws against forced religious conversion
The court order noted that:
- Iliyas Qureshi was taken into custody on July 16, 2023.
- Prarthana Nahata was arrested on July 20, 2023.
- Mohammad Zafar Ali was detained on August 30, 2023.
Although the district court has ruled, the accused are expected to challenge their conviction in the Madhya Pradesh High Court.
Case Background: A Father’s Nine-Year Struggle
The case was initiated following an FIR (No: 572/2023) lodged at the Khajrana police station on July 15, 2023. Mahesh Jain had approached the police, reporting that his ex-wife and her partner had forcibly circumcised their son, Manan Jain (8), and attempted to convert him using fake documents.
Mahesh, a native of Siwana village in Barmer, Rajasthan, had married Prarthana Shivhare (native of Shajapur, Madhya Pradesh) on June 30, 2014. Their son, Manan, was born on July 20, 2015. The couple lived a normal married life until 2018, when their lives took a drastic turn.
Mahesh recalled that in 2018, while attending a family wedding in Ratlam, Prarthana suddenly eloped with Iliyas Qureshi, taking their three-year-old son with her.
Mahesh registered a missing persons report in Ratlam (FIR–21/2018), but on recovery, it was revealed that Prarthana eloped with Iliyas Qureshi and she did not want to come with him. She stated that she is a grown-up woman and wishes to live with Iliyas and not Mahesh.
As she took Manan with him, Mahesh moved a plea regarding his custody at the Shajapur court. Prarthana’s location was unknown, hence the plea was quashed.
It was only in 2023 that Mahes found that Prarthana was living with Iliyas Qureshi in Indore, and they had forcefully circumcised his son, Manan. The duo has also made his documents with a Muslim name. The accused, Iliyas, has not only forced Prarthana to embrace Islam; he was also doing the same with Manan.
Following this complaint, the accused Iliyas was booked under IPC sections 420 (cheating), 467 (forgery), 468 (forgery for the purpose of cheating), 471 (making electronic or other documents with dishonesty), and sections 3 / 4 of the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act.
Additional Legal Complaints and Past Criminal History
Apart from the 2023 case, two earlier complaints—FIR Nos: 126/2018 and 87/2018—had been filed against Iliyas at Siwana police station in Barmer, Rajasthan. These cases were related to extortion, where Iliyas and Prarthana allegedly demanded money from Mahesh in return for their child.
Mahesh later filed another complaint at Ratlam police station, leading to the recovery of Prarthana and Iliyas from Ahmedabad on July 17, 2018. By that time, Mahesh claimed, Prarthana had been completely brainwashed by Iliyas.
On August 2, 2018, Mahesh received a phone call from Iliyas, again demanding Rs 5 lakh for Manan’s release. Despite legal action, Iliyas was only convicted in 2018 and sentenced to 10 years in prison, along with a fine of Rs 12,000. However, he was released on bail within just eight months.
Continuing the Legal Battle
Speaking to Organiser on February 20, 2025, Mahesh emphasised that the battle is far from over. He revealed that he had challenged Iliyas’s bail application 12 times at the district court level. Determined to ensure that justice is served, he vowed to continue the case in the Madhya Pradesh High Court and, if needed, the Supreme Court.
Mahesh reiterated that this case extends beyond his family—it is part of a larger conspiracy involving religious conversions and illegal activities backed by powerful individuals. He stated that his mission is to expose the racket to prevent others from falling victim to similar coercion.
Child’s Well-being and Future
Mahesh assured that his son, Manan, is now safe with his extended family and is recovering from his traumatic experiences. Living in a joint family household, Manan is surrounded by his paternal relatives, including his cousins, and is slowly adapting to a normal life.
The Indore district court’s ruling has been hailed as a significant step in addressing forced conversions and protecting minors from religious coercion. However, with the accused planning to appeal in the Madhya Pradesh High Court, the legal fight is far from over.
Mahesh Jain remains resolute in his pursuit of justice, ensuring that no other child suffers a fate similar to his son’s.
