A 28-year-old man, Mohd Faiz, has been arrested in Varanasi after a young Hindu woman accused him of assault, secretly recording intimate videos and using them to threaten and blackmail her. The complaint further alleges that Faiz pressured her to enter prostitution and convert her religion when she refused to comply.
The case has drawn attention as a Love Jihad allegation. Police have registered the case under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Uttar Pradesh’s anti-conversion law.
Woman Alleges Videos Were Used To Control Her
According to the complaint filed on July 31, the woman said she had developed a close relationship with Faiz after meeting him.
She alleged that he later recorded obscene videos and photographs of her without her consent and used the material to threaten her.
The woman reportedly told police that Faiz threatened to upload the recordings online if she refused to follow his instructions.
Conversion And Prostitution Allegations
The complaint makes more serious allegations, claiming that the private material was allegedly used to pressure the woman into prostitution and religious conversion.
She further alleged that Faiz assaulted her whenever she resisted his demands and also threatened to kill her.
These allegations are now being examined as part of the police investigation and have not yet been proved in court.
Police Invoke Anti-Conversion Law
Varanasi Police have booked Faiz under several provisions of the BNS, including sections relating to causing hurt, criminal intimidation, theft and sexual intercourse allegedly obtained through a false promise of marriage.
Sections 3 and 5 of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021 have also been invoked.
Faiz was arrested on September 1 after questioning at Cantt Police Station, according to DCP Varuna Zone Pramod Kumar.