In Moradabad district, Uttar Pradesh, a woman lodged a complaint against an Islamist man named Altaf, accusing him of assuming the false identity of “Akash” to lure her into a relationship, sexually exploiting her, and attempting to coerce her into converting to Islam. Based on the OpIndia reports, when the victim refused to convert, Altaf allegedly threatened to rape her four-year-old daughter. Following the complaint, the police arrested the accused.
The incident occurred in the Majhola police station area of Moradabad. According to the victim’s statement, she resided in the Linepar area and worked in Amroha. It was during this time she met Altaf, who introduced himself as Akash and befriended her. Over time, he allegedly manipulated her into a relationship under this false identity.
The victim recounted that one day, while alone at her home, Altaf visited her and took advantage of her solitude to rape her. When she threatened to report him to the police, Altaf, still posing as Akash, assured her that they would soon marry, convincing her to remain silent. Later, the victim discovered his true identity as Altaf. She also claimed that Altaf had recorded explicit videos of her, which he then used to blackmail and separate her from her husband.
The victim further alleged that Altaf coerced her into living with him by threatening to release the videos online. He also pressured her to adopt Islamic practices, including eating meat, wearing a burqa, and praying five times a day. Upon her refusal, he physically assaulted her.
On September 2, 2024, Altaf allegedly visited the victim’s home again, demanding her conversion to Islam. When she refused, he reportedly undressed her four-year-old daughter and threatened to rape her unless the victim complied. She managed to escape and reported the incident to the police.
Based on the victim’s testimony, Moradabad police registered a case against Altaf under various charges, including those under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Superintendent of Police (City), Kumar Ranvijay Singh, confirmed that the accused had been arrested and was being questioned regarding the allegations.
In a troubling series of events over the past few weeks, Uttar Pradesh has seen a rise in cases where Islamist individuals have been accused of exploiting Hindu women under the pretense of religious conversion and forced marriages. In Ghaziabad, a significant case has emerged involving an individual accused of faking his conversion to Hindu Dharma to marry a Hindu doctor. Following the marriage, the victim reportedly faced abuse, leading to the accused’s arrest.
In Shamli, Zakir Ansari, an Islamist, was accused of befriending a Hindu girl, subsequently raping her, and blackmailing her for forced conversion. Further compounding the crisis, a minor Scheduled Caste girl in Meerut was brutally gang-raped by Islamist men and left in critical condition. These incidents underscore a concerning pattern of abuse and religious coercion in Uttar Pradesh, drawing attention to the urgent need for effective measures to protect individuals belonging to Hindu Dharma.
