Salesman Salim arrested for converting Hindu NRI woman in Saudi Arabia
Surat: Gujarat police have arrested Ejaz Salim in an alleged ‘love jihad’ case involving religious conversion and financial fraud. He is accused of luring a Hindu NRI woman into a relationship, converting her to Islam in Saudi Arabia, and cheating her of cash, jewellery, and property worth over Rs 1.10 crore under the guise of marriage.
The 40-year-old woman, originally from Himmatnagar in Gujarat, filed a complaint via email while residing in the United States, where she lives with her five-year-old daughter. Acting on the complaint in this alleged ‘love jihad’ matter, her brother approached the Lalgate police station in Surat. Ejaz Salim was arrested, and police seized his mobile phone and laptop for investigation. During questioning in the suspected ‘love jihad’ case, it emerged that he is already married and resides in Rampura, Surat.
According to police, the woman had been shopping online from a showroom on Ghoddod Road in Surat, where the accused worked. Investigators say he obtained her number under the pretext of customer feedback, which later developed into frequent communication and a close relationship — a pattern police are probing as part of the alleged ‘love jihad’ angle.
In January 2024, when the woman travelled to Hyderabad, he met her at a hotel and allegedly obtained the key to her flat, which police say forms part of the broader ‘love jihad’ and cheating investigation.
In April 2024, the accused invited her to Saudi Arabia, where she was allegedly converted to Islam and given a new name. An online marriage ceremony followed in May, developments that are central to the alleged ‘love jihad’ investigation.
After the marriage, police say he pressured her to take him to the United States. When his visa was rejected, he allegedly began demanding money and issuing threats through WhatsApp messages and emails. Under pressure, she reportedly transferred nearly Rs 60 lakh to him in what police are treating as financial exploitation linked to the alleged ‘love jihad’ case.
The complaint also alleges that during a trip to Indonesia, he took 18 tolas of gold jewellery belonging to her brother. He is further accused of taking control of a Hyderabad flat worth around Rs 50 lakh. Police estimate the total value involved in this alleged ‘love jihad’ and fraud case at over Rs 1.10 crore. Authorities are now examining digital and financial records to trace the full extent of the transactions.
