Lucknow woman claims years of sexual abuse, forced conversion threats since age 16

A woman in Lucknow has alleged that she was sexually exploited for years and pressured to convert to Islam after an accused forcibly applied sindoor to her hairline when she was 16, according to a complaint filed on September 23.

The complaint names three men -- Shahnavaz, Siraj and Shahrukh. The woman alleged the harassment began in 2021 when Shahnavaz found her alone outside her house and forcibly applied sindoor to her hairline before taking a photograph.

She alleged that when she objected, he threatened to circulate the photograph and kill her. The complaint states that she was frightened because she was a minor, a Class 11 student, at the time and did not tell her family about the incident.

According to the complaint, about a week after the sindoor incident, Shahnavaz allegedly found her alone at home and forcibly established physical relations with her several times while threatening her.

The woman further alleged that the accused subjected her to caste-based abuse and told her, "I have made you pure. You have become my wife. You will have to recite the Kalma."

She alleged that Shahnavaz then forcibly made her recite the Islamic Kalma and told her to give up Hinduism.

The complaint further alleges that she was told she would have to undergo religious conversion, wear a burqa and stop worshipping Hindu gods and goddesses.

According to the complaint, the accused allegedly told her, "You will have to convert, you will have to wear a burqa and you will have to stop worshipping the gods and goddesses."

The woman further alleged that when she resisted the pressure, Shahnavaz, along with his brothers Siraj and Shahrukh, came to her house. According to her complaint, the three allegedly abused her using caste-based slurs and threatened her.

She alleged that they told her they would bring a maulana and pressured her to either convert or die.

The complaint states that the accused also allegedly threatened to make her family "disappear" if she took legal action.

The woman told police that she was frightened and feared for her life whenever she stepped out of her house.

The complaint was submitted to the Lucknow police station on September 23. The complainant has sought police protection and legal action, alleging that she and her family remain under threat.

Police said the information disclosed the commission of offences and that a case was registered and taken up for investigation. Assistant Commissioner of Police Gyanendra Singh has been named as the investigating officer.- Ends

Ashish Srivastava has eight years of experience in journalism. He completed his masters in journalism before training at the Dainik Jagran and working with a regional channel.