Police in the Indian state of Hyderabad have arrested a Hindu man for posing as a Muslim to lure and marry three female Muslim college students.
The accused, identified as E.N. Ravi Kumar from Attapur, introduced himself as “Rafi” before developing relationships with the women.
According to police, Kumar secretly recorded private videos and conversations with the women, and later used them to blackmail them into marriage.
He is reportedly significantly older than his victims, with an age difference of up to 18 years, and targeted women from conservative practicing Muslim families.
Fear of social stigma prevented the victims from immediately reporting the abuse.
It was only his third wife, who suffered ongoing harassment, that finally informed the authorities. Based on her statement, police registered a case of cheating and criminal intimidation. Investigators are now probing whether more women may have been trapped using the same method.
Police registered the case under several sections of the law:
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- Section 85 BNS: Pertains to acts done under misrepresentation or false pretence.
- Section 318 (4) BNS: Covers deception and fraud in marriage.
- Section 316 (2) BNS: Deals with harassment or coercion to force someone into marriage.
- Section 351 (2) BNS: Relates to criminal intimidation or threats.
- Section 352 BNS: Covers physical assault.
Attapur Inspector K. Nageswara Rao said, “The case is under investigation, and we are also counselling the victims.”
The case has alarmed Hyderabad’s Muslim community, where many parents fear their daughters could be vulnerable to such targeted exploitation.
While Hindu nationalist groups often use the anti-Muslim conspiracy theory of “love jihad” to falsely accuse Muslim men of luring Hindu women for conversion via marriage, this incident shows the reverse scenario: a Hindu man pretending to be Muslim to exploit young Muslim women.
Police continue to investigate and are urging any other women who may have faced similar situations to come forward.
Authorities have assured the victims and their families of support and legal assistance.
