In a shocking incident that underscores the growing concern of ‘love jihad’ in India, a Muslim man, Ziaul Haq alias Zia, was arrested in Lucknow.He raped a Hindu girl after pretending to be Hindu himself. The case, which highlights a calculated effort to deceive and exploit vulnerable women, took a darker turn as Haq continued to blackmail the victim with obscene videos and demanded money, all while pressuring her to convert to Islam.
The Deception and the Heinous Act of Love Jihad
The incident began when Haq, a driver originally from Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, befriended the victim under the guise of being a Hindu. His target was a young Hindu girl working as domestic help at a Muslim doctor’s residence. Haq’s approach was not just casual but a deliberate scheme to gain her trust. He invited her out one day under the pretense of having tea, luring her to a hotel. Once there, he drugged her, rendering her unconscious, and proceeded to sexually assault her. To further his sinister plan, Haq recorded offensive images and videos of the attack, using them to repeatedly blackmail the girl into submission.
A Vicious Cycle of Exploitation and Extortion Love Jihad
After the initial assault, Haq did not stop at merely exploiting the girl. He demanded ₹1 lakh from her, threatening to leak the explicit videos and images online if she failed to comply. Desperate and terrified, the victim managed to gather a small amount and handed it over to him. However, Haq, in a move that revealed his malicious intent, sent the visuals to her relatives, causing unimaginable distress.
Conversion Pressure and Death Threats Love Jihad
Haq’s threats escalated beyond blackmail. He started coercing the girl to convert to Islam and marry him through a Nikah ceremony. When she refused, he resorted to relentless harassment, stalking her even after she blocked his number. His threats grew more violent, culminating in a chilling encounter where he warned, “If you don’t marry me, I will tear your body into pieces. I won’t threaten you anymore. I will only show you.”
Police Action and Legal Proceedings
The gravity of the situation led the victim to file a police complaint, revealing the extent of Haq’s torture and the danger she faced. She also uncovered that Haq had similarly harassed another Hindu girl from the Other Backward Class (OBC) category. This indicates a pattern of predatory behaviour.
The Mahanagar police station registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Haq under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act. The police swiftly arrested Haq, and further investigations are underway to ensure justice is served.
