Police have arrested a Muslim man named Shahnawaz from Khatima in Uttarakhand after a 19-year-old Hindu woman approached the police with a complaint involving identity deception, pressure for physical relations and religious conversion.
According to the police, the woman was working at a medical store in Khatima, where Shahnawaz was also employed. She told police that he introduced himself as “Sonu” and said he was Hindu. Over time, they became close friends, and she trusted him based on this identity.
The issue took a serious turn on the 18th of January, when he asked her to meet him at a hotel in Khatima. At the hotel, the woman noticed his Aadhaar card with his real name, Shahnawaz and religion.
After this incident, Shahnawaz put pressure on her to continue the relationship and convert to Islam. As the situation worsened, she somehow managed to escape and went directly to the Khatima police station to report the incident.
Police officials said swift action was taken after the complaint was filed. The woman was medically examined, and her statement was later recorded in court. Based on this, the police registered a case against Shahnawaz under Sections 318(4), 62 and 64 of the Indian Penal Code.
Sharing details, Kotwali Khatima in-charge Vijendra Shah said a special team arrested the accused on 19th January, following instructions from senior officers. Police said further investigation is underway, including verification of the accused’s past criminal records.
