K'tka police probe Hindu girl's allegation of forceful conversion by Muslim man

Mangaluru: A Hindu woman in the Mangaluru district of Karnataka has filed a case against a Muslim man accusing him of forcing her to convert to Islam, sexually assaulting and blackmailing her.

The Mangaluru women's police have booked a mobile shop owner named Khaleel, against whom the girl filed a case, on various charges of IPC Sections, including sexual assault and inciting communal tension.

Though the charges have been filed against Khaleel based on the complaint made by the woman, the police have started to investigate the veracity of the allegations made by the woman.

According to the police, the girl worked in a fancy store in the Bikarnakatte locality where she met Khaleel at the mobile shop and developed a friendship. Taking advantage of the bond, Khaleel allegedly planned the crime.

He promised her a good job and financial support and took her to his home in Kallapu. The victim said he introduced her to a group of women there who forced her to convert to Islam.

They asked her to read the Quran and got her to do namaz.

After this, the accused sexually assaulted her.

He changed the victim's name to Ayesha and threatened to get her thrown out of the job if she revealed the incident. She was also forced to always wear a 'burqa'.

The police have lodged a complaint under IPC Sections 354 (assaulted or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354 (a) (committing acts of physical contact and advances involving unwelcome and sexual overtures), 505 (whoever makes, publishes or circulates any statement with intent to incite to commit any offence against any other class or community), 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) and Anti-conversion Act column 3 and 5.

An investigation into the matter is underway.

With IANS input