A pregnant woman in Lakhimpur Kheri passed away, with the police stating that she was allegedly involved in a love affair and subjected to pressure to convert to Islam. Two individuals have been arrested in connection with the case -- Naved, the woman's live-in partner, and Farhan. The woman, identified as Seema Gautam, was brought to the hospital by Farhan and Naved, but unfortunately, she did not survive, according to PTI. Gautam's brother has lodged a complaint, claiming that she was poisoned.
Superintendent of Police S Anand told PTI that the victim resided in Lakhimpur Kheri and had been living in a live-in relationship with Naved. The couple resided in a rented accommodation owned by a person named Mustaquim in the Roza area of the district.
On Saturday, around 1 pm, Naved and Farhan brought Seema Gautam to the hospital.
Initially, the duo identified her as Zoya Siddiqui, Naved's wife, during the admission process. However, when the hospital declared her deceased, Naved and Farhan absconded before the arrival of the police.
Currently, Naved and Farhan are in police custody, while Mustaquim remains at large.
During the investigation, it was revealed that the couple had been cohabiting for the past one-and-a-half years, and Gautam was pregnant.
The accused allegedly exerted pressure on the victim to convert her religion.
Following the complaint filed by Gautam's brother, a case has been registered against Naved, Mustaquim, and Farhan under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Schedule Caste/Schedule Tribe Act, and the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act.
50 People Converted To Islam In Pakistan
At least 50 family members from ten families residing in different areas of the Mirpurkhas division have converted to Islam, IANS reported.
Mohammad Shamroz Khan, son of Minister for Religious Affairs Senator Muhammad Talha Mahmood, attended the ceremony held at a local seminary -- Baitul Iman New Muslim Colony.
Qari Taimur Rajput, one of the caretakers of the organisation, confirmed that 10 families have converted to Islam.
"They all willingly converted to Islam. No one has forced them," Rajput claimed quoting Khan.
He also reportedly inquired from the new converts whether they willingly took the step during the conversion ceremony which was also attended by several local residents, IANS reported.
Rajput added that 50 people converted, including 23 females and a year-old infant. The converts will stay in a local facility specially established for the new Muslims converts in 2018.
Hindu activists in Pakistan have expressed their grief and anger over the mass conversions in Sindh. Faqir Shiva Kucchi, a Hindu activist who raises his voice against the practice, said that "it seems the state itself is involved in these conversions", The Express Tribune reported.
He added that local community members have been demanding the government to initiate legislation against the practice for several years.