Brother’s friend raped at knifepoint:19-year-old woman claims forced conversion and marriage in Ratlam

A case of alleged rape, forced religious conversion, and forced marriage has come to light in Ratlam district. A 19-year-old girl from the DD Nagar police station area has filed a complaint against Sameer, a friend of her brother. According to the complaint, the accused allegedly lured and raped her three years ago when she was a minor. She alleged that he later threatened her at knifepoint, sexually exploited her repeatedly, made her pregnant twice and forced her to undergo abortion once. She also alleged that he forced her to undergo a nikah and later became the father of her child. Accused used to visit her house as brother’s friend The survivor told police that she studied up to Class 11. In January 2023, Sameer, son of Shehzad and a resident of Ramrahim Nagar, used to visit her home because he was friends with her brother. Taking advantage of this acquaintance, Sameer allegedly lured her to his house. There, he allegedly sexually assaulted her, after which she became pregnant. When Sameer came to know about the pregnancy, he allegedly gave her abortion pills and terminated the pregnancy. The woman further alleged that Sameer threatened her with a knife, warning that if she told anyone about the incident, he would kill her and her brother. Alleged pressure to convert and marry Out of fear, the survivor remained silent and continued speaking to Sameer under pressure. She alleged that Sameer promised marriage and pressured her to adopt Islam, while continuing to sexually exploit her. As a result, she became pregnant again. After learning about the pregnancy, Sameer allegedly took her to an unknown place, threatened her and forced her to accept a nikah. The woman was allegedly still a minor at the time. After the nikah, Sameer took her to his house and allegedly barred her from meeting her family. Survivor gave birth to a child, later faced assault and threats Due to the alleged sexual exploitation, the woman gave birth to a child, who is now nine months old. After this, Sameer allegedly began assaulting her. According to the complaint, he would taunt her and say, “There are many like you. If you do too much, I will kill you and throw you away.” As the alleged harassment intensified, the woman gathered courage and told her family about the ordeal. However, Sameer allegedly threatened her family as well, because of which they initially did not file a police report. Accused allegedly pelted stones at her house, tried to snatch child On June 8, Sameer allegedly assaulted the woman, causing injuries to her cheek and neck. She then returned to her parents’ home. That same evening, Sameer allegedly reached her house, created a ruckus and pelted stones. On June 10, while the woman was standing outside her house, Sameer allegedly tried to snatch her nine-month-old child. People nearby intervened, after which he left. Later, however, he allegedly called the woman’s brother and threatened to stab him to death. Case registered under POCSO, rape and anti-conversion law Fed up with the repeated threats, the woman went to the police station with her family and filed a complaint. Police have registered a case against Sameer under the POCSO Act, charges related to rape, criminal intimidation and relevant sections of the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act. An investigation has been initiated.