In what locals are calling a repeat of “Kerala Story”, police in Shahabad town of Hardoi district have registered a case against Haider, a man from Prayagraj, and Reena Bano, a Muslim woman and college-mate of the victim, for allegedly raping, blackmailing, and coercing a 24-year-old Hindu girl into religious conversion.
The FIR, registered under Uttar Pradesh’s anti-conversion law, recounts seven months of trauma faced by the victim, who has accused her own friend of luring her into a trap.
Friendship turned trap: Victim lured by Reena
According to the FIR filed on July 11, 2025, at Shahabad Police Station, the victim met Reena Bano while studying at ITI College in Hardoi. The two became friends and often spent time together, building what the victim believed was a genuine friendship.
In December 2024, Reena invited the victim to her home in Lohani, near the Pihani police station area. Once there, the victim was led to a room where Haider, a relative of Reena, was waiting.
Rape at gunpoint, recorded and used for blackmail
As soon as the victim entered, Reena locked the door from the outside. Haider, brandishing a gun, threatened to kill her if she screamed. He then raped her and recorded the entire act on his mobile phone.
When Reena returned, instead of helping her friend, she joined Haider in blackmailing the victim, threatening to leak the video to her family and post it online if she disobeyed them.
Blackmail, coercion & repeated abuse for months
The blackmail reportedly continued for over seven months, with the duo calling her every few weeks to coerce her into meeting them again. On each occasion, new videos and photos were captured, increasing the emotional and psychological grip on the victim.
During these episodes, Haider also forced her to consider converting to Islam and pressured her to marry him, despite being already married. The victim said she remained silent out of fear of public shame and retaliation.
Victim breaks silence after months of trauma
After months of trauma, the survivor finally approached the Shahabad police and registered a formal complaint, narrating her ordeal and identifying both Haider and Reena as primary culprits.
The police acted swiftly and arrested Reena Bano the same day. Haider remains absconding, and efforts are on to track him.
Case registered under anti-conversion law
Circle Officer Anuj Mishra confirmed that a case has been registered under relevant sections of rape, criminal intimidation, IT Act, and importantly, under Uttar Pradesh’s Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act.
“We are treating the case with utmost seriousness. Haider will be arrested soon, and justice will be delivered to the victim,” Mishra assured.
Yet another case of Grooming?
This case is the second high-profile grooming-related incident reported in UP this month, following the Shahjahanpur case involving Naveed alias Shiv Verma. Public sentiment is inflamed, with activists comparing this to ‘The Kerala Story’—a film highlighting alleged cases of love jihad and religious coercion.
As police hunt for Haider and the judicial process begins, the case adds to the mounting concerns over interfaith grooming, religious coercion, and digital blackmailing tactics being used against young women in India.
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