A case of love jihad and abduction has come to light from Mukhrai village in Mathura’s Govardhan area, where a Muslim man named Mustaq Khan lured a Hindu woman from a neighbouring village and fled with her on September 18.
A case has been registered at Govardhan police station on charges of kidnapping and forcing her to convert to Islam.
According to the victim’s family, Mustaq used to visit the Hanuman temple in the village. He would offer prayers, make offerings, distribute prasad and sometimes take part in bhajans and aarti. The family says this helped him build trust among the villagers, which he later used to get close to the woman.
The family has also told the police that the woman was being forced to convert her religion. The incident has led to anger among residents and saints, who are demanding that the woman be recovered quickly and the accused be arrested.
Police deployment in the village
Police and PAC personnel have been deployed in Mukharai village as a precaution after tension grew following the incident. CO Govardhan Anil Kumar said the force was deployed to maintain peace and order and that efforts were being made to arrest Mustaq.
Brother of Mustaq arrested in bike theft case
Amidst the ongoing probe, police have arrested Mustaq’s brother, Salman, in connection with a motorcycle theft case. According to police, a stolen motorcycle, a country-made pistol and two cartridges were recovered from him. A separate case under the Arms Act was also registered.
During the investigation, Salman revealed that Mustaq Khan was his brother and he also named Shakir, Jalwa and Junoon as his friends. Police said Salman told them that the group used to befriend Hindu women, take them away, convert them to Islam and later marry them.
According to police, Salman also described how Mustaq had planned to befriend the Hindu girl from a nearby village. They went to her village and started working out at a gym, where Mustaq became friendly with the girl’s brother first. Police said the woman was later taken away with the help of Mustaq’s associates.
Police are now searching for Mustaq and investigating the role of Shakir, Jalwa and Junoon in the case.
