A shocking case of religious conversion and child marriage of a minor Dalit girl has come to light from the capital of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow. On Sunday (11th August 2024), the Police arrested 2 more accused including a Maulvi in this case. They had earlier arrested Murtaza, the husband of the deceased minor, and the victim’s mother.
After the death of the minor victim’s father, her mother came into contact with the accused, Murtaza. It is alleged that Murtaza had illicit relations with her. He pressured the Dalit woman to marry him with her minor daughter. Shel died in the hospital while giving birth to a newborn. It is alleged that she was clandestinely buried as per Islamic rituals in the late hours of the day.
The case pertains to Mohanlalganj police station in the southern area of Lucknow Commissionerate. On 30th June 2024, the minor victim’s Chacha (paternal uncle) filed a complaint with the police. In the complaint, he stated that his elder brother died 2 years ago. It is alleged that the deceased’s wife had an illicit relationship with a young man named Murtaza who lived in the neighbourhood. Murtaza often started visiting her house. During this time, he started preying on her 15-year-old daughter and was adamant to marry the minor.
The Dalit woman, who was allegedly trapped in Murtaza’s love affair, finally agreed to his demand. In 2023, Murtaza, who was several years older than the minor, married the minor victim. He then forced the minor to convert to Islam.
As per reports, the child marriage and religious conversion of the minor Dalit girl took place in a mosque in Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich district. Maulvi Mohammad Ahmed of this mosque was actively involved in these illegal activities. After converting to Islam, the victim was given a new name Sania.
The victim’s uncle further stated that back then, all of them had opposed religious conversion and child marriage. But the accused threatened them to maintain silence. Just a few days after the marriage, the minor victim became pregnant. Her health deteriorated before giving birth to the child and she died. It is alleged that she was secretly buried as per Islamic rituals.
When the complainant wanted to know about her well-being, the accused once again threatened him and instructed him to mind his own business.
It is alleged that Murtaza is a person of criminal nature and preys on Hindu girls. Based on the complaint of the victim’s uncle, the police had registered an FIR on 30th June 2024 under sections 376 and 504 of IPC along with SC/ST, Child Marriage Act and POCSO Act. Subsequently, on 2nd July, the Police arrested the accused Murtaza as well as the mother of the deceased minor victim. They were sent to jail. OpIndia has accessed a copy of the FIR.
During the investigation, the involvement of Maulvi Mohammad Ahmed and Murtaza’s father Mushtaq Ali also came to light. On Sunday (11th August), the police arrested them and sent them to jail. Further investigation and other legal action is underway.
