Read Time: 07 minutes

Synopsis

A fast-track court in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, has sentenced a 25-year-old Muslim youth, Mohd Aalim, to life imprisonment for illegal conversion, under charges including rape, criminal intimidation, and voluntarily causing hurt.

A complaint was filed by a 22-year-old woman in May 2023, who alleged that Aalim had initially introduced himself as Anand when they met at a coaching class in Bareilly in 2022. Aalim also had the 'kalawa' tied on his wrist.

As per the complaint, Aalim promised to marry the victim and took her to a temple and filled the parting of her hair with vermilion. Immediately after, he took her to a friend's room, established sexual relations with her, and recorded the act. He then blackmailed her with the video, repeatedly raping her and forcing her to undergo an abortion when she became pregnant. Aalim also attempted to coerce her into converting to Islam, and when she refused, he and his family members assaulted her.

Aalim's father has also been sentenced to two years in jail for criminal intimidation.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Ravi Kumar Diwakar, in a 42-page order, emphasized that the main goal of “love jihad” is to establish dominance over India under the guise of a demographic war.

Court highlighted that "Muslim men systematically target Hindu women for conversion to Islam through marriage, often by pretending to love them." It linked the issue to an international conspiracy by anarchist elements aiming to disrupt India's unity and integrity.

Court also dismissed a later statement from the woman, who, after being brought to court on September 19, claimed that she had filed the FIR under pressure from right-wing groups and her parents. Court found this statement to be influenced by the accused and chose not to accept it.

The judgment further warned of the dangerous implications of illegal conversions, stating that if the Indian government does not intervene in time, the country could face serious consequences.

It noted that love jihad uses various methods, including psychological pressure, derogatory remarks about gods, and temptations like marriage and jobs, to target non-Muslim women, particularly from weaker sections such as the Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and OBC communities. The court drew comparisons to Pakistan and Bangladesh, warning that similar conditions could arise in India if the issue is not addressed promptly.

The order also pointed out the significant financial resources involved in love jihad, suggesting possible foreign funding in this case. It stressed that illegal conversions pose a serious threat to the country’s unity, integrity, and sovereignty.

The judge, who had earlier called for a videographic survey of Varanasi’s Gyanvapi premises and the sealing of the wuzukhana area in 2022, reiterated that illegal conversions through love jihad are not isolated incidents but part of a larger syndicate-driven effort to destabilize India.

"Illegal conversions through love jihad are carried out or made to happen by some anarchist elements of a particular religion or they cooperate in it or are involved in the conspiracy. Some anarchist elements get the above acts done, but the entire religion gets defamed. There is enough evidence for love jihad", wrote the judge. 

Case Title: State vs. Mohd Aalim and Another