A Muslim man, Arif Ayub Shaikh, was arrested in the Nalasopara area of the Palghar district of Maharashtra for luring Hindu women into relationships and recording and sharing their obscene videos. The 22-year-old gym trainer and influencer was arrested by the police and was sent to police custody by a Wasai court till October 16, 2026. Police are conducting forensic analysis of data retrieved from the accused’s electronic devices.
The police are investigating two separate cases filed against Shaikh. One of the cases relates to the recording of obscene videos of multiple women, and the other case relates to a complaint filed by a woman who accused him of Love Jihad. The first case against Shaikh came to light on October 9, 2026, at Webcorn Gym in Cheda Nagar, Nalasopara West. An altercation broke out between Shaikh and some men after he made some objectionable remarks regarding Hinduism, Navratri, and Hindu women. People present at the scene examined his phone and found several obscene videos of various women on it.
The other case is based on a complaint filed by a 23-year-old woman on October 12, 2026, who said that Shaikh had physical intercourse with her on the false promise of marriage. She added that he later forced her to convert to Islam, change her name, and wear a burqa. She also said that Shaikh’s mother forced her to convert and physically assaulted her. She also accused Arif Shaikh’s cousin Sahil of attempting to sexually harass her. According to the victim, Arif Shaikh met her through social media last year and lured her into a relationship on the promise of marrying her. He pressured her to live with him and had sexual intercourse with her on multiple occasions.
During the investigation, allegations have also surfaced that some videos were shared with foreign phone numbers. Consequently, the police are examining digital networks and contacts. Officials state that a forensic analysis of data retrieved from electronic devices is being conducted.
According to Pradeep Mishra, the Mumbai in-charge of the Vishwa Hindu Mahasangh, Shaikh deleted many of the obscene videos on his phone. He said that after the incident at the gym, he tried contacting the local administration till late at night, but no action was taken against Shaikh till the next morning. Mishra added that around 3 am, a man named Ahmed Memon arrived at the scene and took Arif Shaikh away with him. He demanded that the investigation of the case be handed over to a Special Investigation Team (SIT).
The incident at the gym was followed by the complaint of the 23-year-old victim, which further exposed the criminal acts of Shaikh. As per some reports, Shaikh is said to have targeted around 70-80 Hindu women, recorded their obscene videos, and sold them on pornographic websites. He used to visit Navratri Garba pandals and record obscene videos of Hindu women. Around 4 women have reportedly testified against Shaikh so far.
Commenting on the incident, Maharashtra Minister Nitish Rane said that he has repeatedly warned against such Jihadist elements targeting innocent Hindu women in Garba pandals during the Navratri celebrations. He urged Hindu women to be cautious of such criminal elements.
मुंबई, महाराष्ट्र: मंत्री नितेश राणे ने नालासोपारा में कथित लव जिहाद की घटना पर कहा, "मैं हमेशा से लव जिहाद के मुद्दे पर बात करता आया हूं। नवरात्रि शुरू होने से पहले ही मैंने अपनी हिंदू बहनों को आगाह किया था कि जिहादी अलग-अलग नाम बदलकर गरबा में प्रवेश कर सकते हैं और हिंदू लड़कियों की ज़िंदगी बर्बाद करने की कोशिश कर सकते हैं। इसी तरह का एक मामला नालासोपारा में सामने आया है, जहां एक जिहादी ने कथित तौर पर गरबा में प्रवेश कर अश्लील हरकतें कीं। जब उसका मोबाइल फोन जांचा गया, तो उसमें कई आपत्तिजनक और अश्लील वीडियो पाए गए। इसलिए, जो लोग बार-बार कहते हैं कि त्योहारों के दौरान हिंदू-मुस्लिम का मुद्दा नहीं उठाना चाहिए, उन्हें आज इस घटना पर भी विचार करना चाहिए…"
— IANS Hindi (@IANSKhabar) October 13, 2026
“I have always spoken out on the issue of love jihad. Even before Navratri began, I had warned my Hindu sisters that jihadis could enter garba events by changing their names and attempt to ruin the lives of Hindu girls. A similar case has now come to light in Nalasopara, where a jihadi allegedly entered a garba event and engaged in obscene acts. When his mobile phone was checked, several objectionable and pornographic videos were found on it. Therefore, those who keep saying time and again that Hindu-Muslim issues should not be raised during festivals should reflect on this incident today as well,” Rane said. “The Jihadi element will be granted the strictest punishment,” he added.
