A cleric and a third accused have been arrested in Nagpur after a 24-year-old woman alleged rape, blackmail, extortion and forced religious conversion.
A video that surfaced on social media is being examined by investigators in connection with the Nagpur case in which a woman has alleged sexual assault, blackmail, extortion and forced religious conversion. | IANS
The investigation into an alleged rape, blackmail and forced religious conversion case in Nagpur gathered pace on Thursday with the arrest of a cleric and the surrender of another accused who had been on the run.
The case centres on allegations made by a 24-year-old woman, the wife of an Indian Air Force officer, who has accused multiple individuals of sexually assaulting her, extorting money, threatening her with private material and forcing her to undergo religious conversion against her will.
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Nagpur Police said the third accused surrendered late on Wednesday night and was immediately taken into custody.
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“In the case involving the alleged assault, blackmail, and forced religious conversion of a woman in Nagpur, the third accused, who had been absconding, surrendered late on Wednesday night. He was subsequently arrested by the police. The accused will be produced before the court on Thursday,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 1) Singa Reddy Rushikesh said.
Police had already detained two other suspects earlier.
Investigators have also arrested a cleric identified as Hazrat Maulana from Madhya Pradesh. Police suspect he was involved in the alleged conversion process and a ceremony that the complainant claims was conducted against her wishes.
According to investigators, the cleric is being questioned, and officials are examining documents linked to the alleged marriage ceremony. Investigators are examining whether others may have played a role in the alleged offences. Police said the probe remains open and additional arrests have not been ruled out.
According to the FIR, the woman came back in contact with the main accused, Ayaaz Madare, after he allegedly approached her with an offer to help resolve a property-related issue.
She told police that the two met at a hotel in February this year, where she was allegedly made to consume an intoxicating substance. The woman claimed she lost consciousness shortly afterwards. After losing consciousness, compromising photographs and videos were allegedly recorded without her consent.
The woman claimed the material was later used to threaten her. She alleged that nearly Rs 4 lakh was extracted from her over time through blackmail.
The FIR further states that she was repeatedly subjected to sexual assault and forced to participate in rituals that she described as linked to black magic and hypnosis.
The complainant alleged that the accused regularly made her consume a liquid from a plastic bottle before chanting in Urdu and performing rituals prior to assaulting her.
The woman told police that on May 31, she was taken to Kalmeshwar by the accused and an associate.
According to her statement, Hazrat Maulana conducted religious rituals and compelled her to utter “qubool hai” despite her objections. She alleged that she was then declared converted and married to the principal accused without her consent.
A video that surfaced on social media and allegedly shows a man holding the woman’s hand while reciting religious verses has also come under police scrutiny.
Authorities have invoked provisions related to sexual assault, criminal intimidation and extortion. Sections of Maharashtra’s anti-superstition and anti-black magic laws have also been applied.
Police said the investigation remains underway and further details are expected to emerge during questioning of the accused.
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