In a significant development, a court in Bulandshahr district of Uttar Pradesh has pronounced a life sentence with a hefty fine for a person found guilty of forced religious conversion. It marks state’s first case where life sentence has been imposed upon the guilty of forced conversion.
The accused, Anis, coerced a Hindu woman into changing her religion and marrying him. The incident unfolded in March 2022 when a woman from Delhi lodged a complaint at the Gulavathi Police Station, alleging that Anis, residing in Delhi, posed as Akash approximately a year ago and subsequently married her. After the marriage, the accused compelled the victim to undergo a religious conversion, renaming her Ayesha. Following this, Anis absconded with jewellery and a sum of one and a half lakh rupees.
Upon filing the complaint, the police swiftly took action, arresting the accused and initiating legal proceedings. The court, after due deliberation, has now deemed Anis guilty, sentencing him to life imprisonment along with a fine of four lakh fifty thousand rupees.
The incident is reminiscent of Love Jihad cases where Hindu girls are being trapped in love trap and then converted or killed in the process.