20-year-old Armaan Sheikh has been apprehended over allegations of raping a minor, blackmailing her and forcing her into marriage as soon as she reached 18. He is a school dropout who works as a tailor, while she is a first-year BA student. The incident transpired on 6th March (Friday) in Bhiwandi of Thane district in Maharashtra. Hindu activists halted the marriage ceremony after being informed by the girl’s family, leading to the arrest.
According to Dombivli Police, the duo met on social media in 2024 when she was underage, and he was an 18-year-old. Their relationship later turned abusive as the Muslim man took advantage of her young age for two years to sexually exploit her and then pressured her to marry him when she became an adult, a month ago.
The girl proceeded to Bhiwandi on the fateful day to wed him in compliance with Islamic rituals. According to the police, he had made all the arrangements, including witnesses and a Qazi for the event. However, members of a Hindu organisation foiled his plans by arriving at the venue. They rescued her and turned her over to the local police station, which submitted a report.
Initially, the case was brought to the Bhiwandi Shantinagar police station, but was moved to the Vishnunagar police station because the girl is located in Dombivli.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Suhas Hemade informed, “Based on a complaint filed by the victim, a case has been registered against Armaan Sheikh for blackmailing and rape. The complainant alleged that she was pressured and blackmailed into the marriage.” The authorities have invoked the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections pertaining to rape and criminal intimidation against the perpetrator.
