In the early hours of 10th January, a Muslim occult practitioner named Rashid lured a 17-year-old Hindu girl and abducted her. An FIR has been filed based on the complaint of the girl’s father at Kithore police station in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. Reportedly, the accused Rashid is a father of six. The girl’s family and locals have demanded strict action against the accused. According to media reports, the brother and two women from the accused’s family have been arrested, while the main accused is still on the run.
The incident came to light on 10th January when the girl’s father approached the police to file a complaint in the matter. The next day, villagers arrived at the SSP office to stage a protest, alleging police inaction. The victim’s family stated that Rashid has previously served jail time for murder. They accused Rashid of convincing the minor girl to leave home with him. Furthermore, they informed the police that the girl took ₹5.93 lakh in cash, eight tolas of gold jewellery, and expensive clothing with her. Witnesses stated they saw the girl leaving with Rashid at around 4 AM.
An investigation has been launched into the matter by Meerut police. Additional personnel, including PAC, have been deployed in the village to maintain law and order. Speaking to the media, Meerut SP (Rural) Rakesh Kumar Mishra confirmed that an FIR has been registered in the case, and three individuals, including family members of Rashid, have been arrested. He said, “Efforts are underway to locate the girl and apprehend the accused.”
Content of the FIR
OpIndia accessed a copy of the FIR registered under Section 137(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in the matter. According to the complaint filed by the victim’s father, at around 4 AM, his 17-year-old daughter was lured and taken away by Rashid, a resident of Bahroda village. A local villager witnessed the incident.
When the girl left the house, everyone was sleeping. When they woke up, they realised that the girl was missing. They waited for some time, thinking she would return. When they inquired about her in the locality, the witness informed the father that he saw the girl leaving with Rashid.
The complainant said that he feared Rashid might harm his daughter and requested the police to take immediate action.
Gurjar activist Nagendra Gurjar Rachauti announces bounty against Rashid
On 11th January, Gurjar activist Nagendra Gurjar Rachauti released a video statement announcing a bounty of ₹50,000 for anyone who brings Rashid in, dead or alive. In his statement, Nagendra said that Rashid had made a grave mistake by luring a Gurjar minor girl and urged members of the Gurjar community to locate him at the earliest.
मेरठ के किठौर से 46 वर्षीय तांत्रिक राशिद खान ने एक नाबालिग को भगाकर सनसनी मचा दी।
— भारत समाचार | Bharat Samachar (@bstvlive) January 12, 2025
राशिद, जो 6 बच्चों का पिता है, को नगेन्द्र गुर्जर ने सोशल मीडिया पर वीडियो पोस्ट कर हत्या की धमकी दी और 50 हजार रुपये का इनाम घोषित किया।
नगेन्द्र ने फेसबुक पर ऐलान किया कि राशिद को 'जिंदा या… pic.twitter.com/Ga0uLPQsVR
Statement by Meerut Police
In a video statement, Meerut SP (Rural) said, “”On the night of 9th/10th, their daughter was taken away by a man named Rashid, a resident of the same village. The police promptly took cognisance of the matter, registered a case, and on the following day, 11th January, three family members of the accused who were aiding him were arrested and sent to jail under judicial custody. Through surveillance and other means, we have obtained some leads, and two police teams have been deployed to ensure the girl’s swift recovery. As a precautionary measure, PAC and additional police forces have been stationed in the village.”
थाना क्षेत्र किठौर के ग्राम बहरोड़ा में गांव के ही एक व्यक्ति द्वारा गांव की एक युवती को बहला फुसलाकर भगा ले जाने के सम्बन्ध में थाने पर अभियोग पंजीकृत कर अभियुक्त के 03 सहयोगियों को गिरफ्तार कर जेल भेजे जाने के सम्बन्ध में पुलिस अधीक्षक ग्रामीण की बाइट । #Meerutpolice #UPPolice pic.twitter.com/tO23ljK55s
— MEERUT POLICE (@meerutpolice) January 11, 2025
Media portals use the word ‘Tantrik’ for accused, wrongly indicating Hindu practices
While the accused in the case is a Muslim man named Rashid, several media houses have used the term “Tantrik,” a word typically associated with Hindu practices. OpIndia identified at least five Hindi media outlets that referred to Rashid as a “Tantrik” in their headlines. In its report, Aaj Tak used the word “Tantrik” without mentioning that the accused is a Muslim in the headline.
Dainik Bhaskar also used the word “Tantrik” but did not mention the accused is a Muslim in the headline.
ETV Bharat mentioned name of the accused but used the word “Tantrik” with it.
TV9 though mentioned that the accused is a Muslim, but went ahead to use the word “Tantrik”.
Hindi newspaper Hindustan used “Tantrik” in the headline without mentioning the accused is a Muslim.
This is not the first time that the mainstream media passed off a Muslim occultist as ‘Tantrik’. OpIndia has reported multiple times that media houses disregard the use of correct vocabulary for the Muslim accused in such cases. OpIndia’s reports on such matters can be checked here.
