Alleged Forced Conversion Shakes Nuh: Man Arrested After Married Woman's Ordeal

In a deeply disturbing incident that has sent ripples through the Nuh district of Haryana, local police have apprehended a man on grave charges of abducting and forcibly converting a married woman to Islam. The accused, identified as Nizamuddin, was taken into custody following a formal complaint lodged by the woman's husband, Ranjit.

The intricate case began to unravel when Ranjit, a resident of Rojka Meo in Nuh, reported that his wife, known as Poonam, had gone missing on August 19.

The situation escalated dramatically when Ranjit recently encountered his wife in a bustling marketplace, accompanied by Nizamuddin. This chance meeting brought to light the shocking claim that Poonam had been converted to Islam, adopting the name Gulafsha, and was now allegedly married to Nizamuddin.

According to Ranjit's complaint, Nizamuddin allegedly abducted Poonam, held her in wrongful confinement, and subjected her to forceful religious conversion before marrying her.

The gravity of these accusations led the police to register a First Information Report (FIR) under significant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the recently enacted Haryana Prevention of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2022.

The specific charges include Section 366 (abduction), Section 342 (wrongful confinement), and Section 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC.

Furthermore, Nizamuddin faces charges under Sections 4 and 10 of the Haryana Prevention of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2022, a legislation specifically designed to combat such alleged forced conversions within the state. Police officials from the Pinangwan police station confirmed the registration of the case and the subsequent arrest.

Further investigation revealed a complicated backstory.

It was learned that Poonam had previously been abducted by another individual named Babbu. In a twist of events, Nizamuddin had reportedly been given money by Poonam's family to secure her release from Babbu. However, instead of returning her to her family, Nizamuddin allegedly took Poonam to Delhi, where an affidavit was reportedly prepared for her conversion to Islam and subsequent marriage to him.

During police interrogation, the woman provided a statement claiming that she was indeed abducted by Babbu, and Nizamuddin initially came to her aid.

However, she then alleged that Nizamuddin later coerced her into the conversion and marriage against her will. Conversely, Nizamuddin vehemently denies these allegations, asserting that Poonam willingly converted to Islam and married him, an act he claims is substantiated by the aforementioned affidavit.

Authorities are now meticulously probing all facets of the case, aiming to ascertain the full truth behind these conflicting accounts.

The incident underscores the serious nature of forced conversion allegations and the legal framework established in Haryana to address such sensitive issues, ensuring justice for the alleged victim and upholding the principles of religious freedom.