A 14-year-old Muslim girl studying at a madrasa in India’s Uttar Pradesh state was kidnapped and raped by a Hindu man after being lured away from her hostel, according to her family and police. The incident took place in Kannauj district and has triggered outrage locally after details of the alleged assault emerged.
According to the girl’s father, Akeel, his daughter had been studying at Madrasa Mohsinat, an Islamic seminary in the Hammalipura area, for around a year. On the morning of May 3, the teenager reportedly left the madrasa hostel to buy food from a nearby shop but did not return. The madrasa administration informed the family shortly afterwards, prompting relatives and local residents to begin searching for her.
The father alleged that a local man identified as Deepu approached the girl outside the madrasa and falsely told her that her mother was calling her. Trusting him, the girl followed before allegedly being taken to a nearby house and confined there.
After being rescued, the teenager told police that she was held captive by Deepu along with two other men identified as Sanjeev and Dheeraj. She alleged the men forced her to consume alcohol disguised as a soft drink before sexually assaulting her. Family members also alleged the accused attempted to stage a fake marriage during the captivity.
When the girl was recovered, sindoor — a red powder traditionally worn by many married Hindu women in the parting of their hair — had allegedly been applied to her head, while mahawar, a ceremonial red dye commonly used during weddings in parts of India, had also been applied to her feet. Relatives said the acts appeared intended to create the impression that the minor had willingly married one of the accused.
The breakthrough came on Tuesday afternoon when the girl reportedly managed to access a mobile phone while still being held captive. In a distressed call to her mother, she said: “I am tied up, save me. From where I am, I can see the house opposite the madrasa.” Using the clue, family members searched buildings near the madrasa and eventually located the teenager on the rooftop of a house in the Sheikhpura area. Police were alerted through the emergency helpline and the girl was taken to a district hospital for treatment.
Kannauj police said a case has been registered under serious criminal charges following a complaint filed by the victim’s father. Police officials confirmed that one accused has been detained for questioning while efforts are ongoing to locate the remaining suspects. Authorities said further legal proceedings are underway.
Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated on the latest news and updates from around the Muslim world!
