Delhi woman kidnapped, gang-raped for 4 years; forced to marry after conversion

A 23-year-old woman has alleged that she was kidnapped, gang-raped and forced into marriage following a coerced religious conversion in Delhi’s Jamia Nagar area, police said. Police have arrested four of the six accused in the case, while the main accused and another accused are already lodged in jail in separate cases.

According to police, the incident began in 2021 when the main accused, identified as Faheem, allegedly befriended the woman on Instagram using a fake Hindu identity and introduced himself as “Sahil”. The woman, who belongs to the Dalit Hindu community, alleged that Faheem hid his real identity and developed a relationship with her before allegedly forcing her into marriage and religious conversion.

Police said the woman approached Jamia Nagar police station on May 13 and narrated her ordeal. Based on her complaint, police registered an FIR on May 14 under sections related to kidnapping, rape, criminal intimidation, wrongful confinement and criminal conspiracy of the Indian Penal Code.

The woman alleged that Faheem called her to Batla House in Jamia Nagar after promising marriage. She claimed that after learning about his real identity, the accused and his associates confined her and sexually assaulted her. She further alleged that she was subjected to repeated rape and gang rape between 2021 and 2025.

The complainant also alleged that the accused and his family pressured her to convert her religion. She claimed that the accused used threats and intimidation during the period of confinement. According to the complaint, a maulvi allegedly assisted the accused in conducting the nikah.

Police have arrested Faheem’s mother Tasleem, father Khurshid, brother Zaid and a maulvi identified as Mohammad Khalid. All four have been sent to jail. Faheem is currently lodged in Dasna jail in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad district in connection with another case. Police said another accused in the present case is also already in jail in a separate matter.

Police sources said Faheem is also suspected to be involved in illegal gun trading. However, investigating officers said they have not recovered any weapons during raids conducted so far.

A police officer said investigators have obtained Faheem’s transit remand and will bring him to Delhi for questioning. Police teams will also take the accused to the alleged crime scene to reconstruct the sequence of events.

NATIONAL WOMEN COMMISSION TAKES SUO MOTU COGNISANCE

Meanwhile, the National Commission for Women (NCW) took suo motu cognisance of the case involving the alleged gang rape and forced conversion of the Dalit woman in Jamia Nagar.

The survivor alleged that the accused held her captive for several days and subjected her to repeated sexual assault by multiple individuals.

NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar wrote to the Delhi Commissioner of Police and directed immediate, stringent and time-bound action in the case.

The Commission sought a detailed Action Taken Report (ATR) within seven days.

The NCW asked police to provide details regarding the FIR registered in the matter, provisions invoked under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the SC/ST Act, arrest of all accused persons, medical and forensic examination conducted, recording of the survivor’s statement before a magistrate, and measures taken to ensure her safety, confidentiality, protection, counselling and rehabilitation.

The Commission said allegations involving gangrape, caste-based violence and forced religious coercion were extremely grave in nature and must be investigated with utmost sensitivity, objectivity and urgency.

The NCW also strongly condemned the incident and said crimes against women involving sexual violence, coercion and intimidation are unacceptable and must invite the strictest action under law.