On 13 December, the Nainital Police registered a case of forced conversion against five Muslim men under the new anti-conversion law, recently passed by the Uttarakhand Assembly. The accused have been identified as Saqib Saifi, Saba, Yunus, Rahila, and Ghazala.

Saqib Saifi, a resident of Bambagar, changed his name to Shiv Thakur and befriended a young Hindu girl, and raped her once the two became close. He also forced the victim to change her religion. When the girl came to know about Saqib’s reality, she approached the police for help, The New Indian Express reported citing its sources.

“Saqib Saifi, Saba, Yunus, Rahila, and Ghazala have been booked under sections 323, 354/354D, 376, 504/506 (of IPC), and the Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion Act 2018,” added SHO.

“The report has been filed under Section 3 of the Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion Act. However, it can be placed in the category of pressure for conversion, not conversion. In the new government order, there is a provision of strict punishment for the accused. After the order comes, action will be taken according to the new rule,” Nainital Senior Superintendent of Police Pankaj Bhatt said.

“The woman lodged a complaint against Saqib alleging that the accused assaulted her and threatened to kill her,” said SHO Ramnagar, Arun Kumar Saini.

“After a medical examination, the victim’s statement under Section 164 will be taken and further action will be taken based on her statements,” the Circle Officer Bhouwali, Baljit Singh Bhakuni said.

“The accused wanted to convert the girl on the pretext of marriage, the girl refused to convert, and then she was physically abused,” the Circle Officier added.