On Monday morning (September 29, 2025), residents of Pachore in Rajgarh district discovered the body of a young woman in the stop dam of the Newaj River. Police and local administration rushed to the site and identified the deceased as a 20-year-old resident of Old Pachore, who had been reported missing since Saturday night (September 27).
The victim’s family alleged she had been trapped in a Love Jihad conspiracy by a local youth, Arshad, who, along with his friends Monu Raja and Arbaaz alias Aloo, allegedly gangraped and murdered her. They claimed her mobile call records pointed to Arshad’s involvement.
According to the family, the victim was last seen on Saturday evening when she left home with a friend to buy medicines. CCTV footage showed her waiting outside a medical shop before walking off alone, after which she went missing.
The family alleged that she was targeted because she used to visit Arshad’s house to learn parlour work.
Shockingly, Arshad had reportedly married another woman just days earlier, on September 25.
As news of her death spread, angry locals and Hindu organisations staged massive protests. Markets were shut down, and hundreds gathered at the police station demanding the immediate arrest of the accused.
The atmosphere in Pachore turned tense as locals raised slogans of “Hang the Love Jihadis” and “Bulldoze the accused’s houses.” Over 300 youths marched through major town areas, from Old Bus Stand and Gandhi Chowk to Mandi Road and the new Bus Stand, raising slogans demanding justice.
At the hospital, where the body was kept for post-mortem, family members initially refused to sign the post-mortem form and declined to take possession of the body until the accused were arrested and their houses demolished.
Only after four hours of deadlock and assurances from the administration of strict action within three days did the family agree to perform the last rites.
Station in-charge Shakuntala Bamnia confirmed that the case is being investigated thoroughly. A suspect has been detained, while police are examining call records and location details of the accused.
SP Amit Suresh Tolani said the short post-mortem report found no conclusive evidence of rape or murder.
“The body bore no injury marks. It was swollen from being in water. Pregnancy was also ruled out. At this stage, suicide cannot be ruled out. We are probing all angles and will take action accordingly,” he told reporters.
Despite this, the family and Hindu organisations remain adamant that the case is a clear example of “Love Jihad” and have demanded the strictest punishment for the accused.
With protests escalating, security was tightened across Pachore. Additional forces were rushed in from Sarangpur, Biaora, Talen, and Karanwas to maintain law and order.
SDOP Arvind Singh appealed for calm, stating: “We are investigating all aspects. The culprits, if found guilty, will not be spared.”
This case has reignited anger over cases of “Love Jihad” in Madhya Pradesh, with Hindu organisations warning of intensified protests if swift action is not taken.
