First arrest in Nuh under anti-conversion law

The Nuh police have made their first arrest under the Haryana Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion Act, 2022. The accused, Azam, a resident of Malab village in Nuh district, was taken into custody on Wednesday in connection with the illegal conversion of a woman. Police said he would be produced in court tomorrow and taken on remand for further questioning.

An FIR had been registered at the Women Police Station, Nuh, based on the complaint of Sheela alias Kanchan, a native of Dhanpura village in Hamirpur, Uttar Pradesh, who has been living in Nuh with her two children for several years.

Sheela was married in 2008 to Chhuttan, a labourer in Nuh, but her marriage collapsed due to his drug addiction and criminal activities. “After going to jail in a murder case, he left me and the children. I raised them alone by working as a labourer,” she said in her complaint.

In 2020, Sheela met Azam, who, she said, initially offered help. “He assured me that he would take care of my children. Gradually, he started visiting my house and trapped me by expressing love,” she said.

According to her, Azam took her and the children to Noida, Panipat and later Bhiwadi. “While staying at a rented house in Bhiwadi in June 2020, he brought a Maulana who forced me to convert. He made me recite the Kalma, changed my name from Sheela to Saiba, and compelled me to marry Azam. After that, Azam’s attitude changed completely. He broke the temple in the house, insulted Hindu idols, pressured me to wear a burqa, offer namaz and attend Tablighi Jamaat. One day, I was even forced to eat prohibited meat. He also insisted that I change my name on Aadhaar and other documents,” Sheela alleged.

Later, she discovered that Azam was already married with children. When she visited his village Malab, his first wife and relatives allegedly attacked her. “I somehow escaped and returned to Nuh, but Azam followed me and started living with me again,” she said.

She further accused Azam of snatching her wages and subjecting her to sexual and mental abuse. “Azam’s brother-in-law Kallu and Hakku would also talk obscenely to me over the phone and pressurise me for marriage. Finally, I decided to approach the police,” Sheela added.

Confirming the arrest, DSP Prithvi Singh said, “We have arrested the main accused Azam today and are questioning him. A thorough investigation of the case is underway. This is the first arrest under the anti-conversion law in Nuh and action is being taken as per the law.”