Private Video, Alleged Threats And Forced Conversion: Gujarat Woman's Shocking Complaint

A 30-year-old pregnant woman in Gujarat’s Banaskantha has accused three brothers and their uncle of repeatedly raping, assaulting and blackmailing her with an alleged private video. She also claimed they pressured her to convert her religion. Police registered a case on August 20 under relevant BNS provisions and Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act.

A 30-year-old pregnant woman has accused four people, including three brothers and their uncle, of repeatedly raping her, assaulting her and blackmailing her with an alleged private video in Gujarat's Banaskantha district. The woman has also alleged that the accused pressured her to convert to their religion and attempted to arrange her marriage through a local religious cleric.

Police have registered a case and launched an investigation. No arrests had been made at the time of the latest update. The case was registered at Dhanera police station on August 20 against Akhtar Rajabshah Fakir, his brothers Arif Rajabshah Fakir and Iliyas Rajabshah Fakir, and their uncle Salimshah Jumashah Fakir.

Police Inspector SD Chaudhary said further investigation had begun and that the allegations made by the woman were being examined, according to a report by Aaj Tak.

Complaint comes amid allegations of repeated abuse

According to the woman's complaint, she was around five months pregnant when she allegedly faced repeated sexual and physical abuse.

The woman claimed that Akhtar was known to her estranged husband. She alleged that he initially contacted her by saying that his grandfather could offer a form of traditional or spiritual treatment for her health-related concerns.

Over time, the two allegedly came into contact more frequently.

The woman told police that this was not the first complaint involving some of the accused. She had earlier filed a sexual harassment case against Akhtar and some of his relatives, the Aaj Tak report added.

In the earlier case, registered at Palanpur East police station in April, Akhtar and two others were arrested, according to the complaint.

However, the woman alleged that Arif and Iliyas, who were absconding at the time, later threatened to kill her and kidnap her daughters.

She claimed that these alleged threats placed her under immense pressure.

Woman says she agreed to settlement under pressure

According to the FIR, the woman said she was forced by circumstances to agree to a compromise in the earlier case.

She alleged that she agreed to file an affidavit before the Gujarat High Court after being threatened with harm to herself and her daughters.

Following the development in the case, Akhtar and other accused who had been arrested were released from jail on June 16.

After their release, the woman went to Pengiya village in Dhanera taluka and began living with Akhtar, according to the FIR. She reportedly believed that moving there would help end the dispute and allow them to live peacefully.

However, the woman has alleged that the abuse continued even after she moved there.

Alleged private video used for blackmail

One of the most serious allegations in the latest complaint concerns an alleged private video.

The woman claimed that a private video of her was recorded without her knowledge. She alleged that the accused later used the video to threaten and blackmail her.

According to her complaint, she was repeatedly threatened that the video would be made public and circulated on social media if she refused to follow their demands.

She also alleged that Akhtar pressured her to speak to other men over the phone. When she refused, she claimed she was threatened again.

The woman has alleged that the private video was used as a tool to keep her under pressure and prevent her from speaking out.

Police are expected to examine the evidence related to the alleged recording and blackmail as part of the investigation.

Four accused named in repeated rape allegations

The woman has accused all four men of repeatedly raping her. According to the FIR, the alleged incidents took place while she was pregnant.

She also alleged that she was assaulted and subjected to physical violence. The complaint states that the four accused, Akhtar, his brothers Arif and Iliyas, and their uncle Salimshah, were involved in the alleged sexual and physical abuse.

Police have registered offences relating to rape, assault and criminal intimidation under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, based on the woman's complaint.

As the investigation is still underway, the allegations have not yet been tested in court.

Allegations of pressure to convert religion

The woman has also accused the four men of pressuring her to change her religion. According to the FIR, the accused allegedly called a local religious cleric and attempted to arrange a nikah.

The woman further claimed that she was given a drink allegedly mixed with an intoxicating substance.

She alleged that her name was subsequently changed to 'Fiza'.

The complaint also contains allegations involving the woman's daughters, who were living with their maternal grandparents.

According to the woman, the accused threatened to bring her daughters to them and force them to change their religion as well.

Based on the allegations, police have also invoked provisions of the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act.

The alleged pressure to convert is among the key aspects that investigators will now examine alongside the rape, assault and blackmail allegations.

Woman says she was thrown out of the house

The woman alleged that the situation reached a breaking point on July 21. She claimed that all four accused assaulted her and forced her out of the house.

According to the complaint, the accused also refused to take responsibility for her or the child she was carrying.

Left without immediate support, the woman allegedly approached a local shopkeeper for help.

She later contacted the women's helpline on 181.

With the help of her mother, she was subsequently taken to Lakhni, following which she approached the police and narrated the sequence of events that she said had unfolded over several months.

Her complaint led to the registration of the latest FIR on August 20.

Police begin investigation, no arrests yet

Banaskantha police have said they are taking the allegations seriously and are investigating all aspects of the complaint.

Inspector SD Chaudhary said the investigation had begun, but no accused had been arrested so far.

Investigators are expected to examine the woman's allegations regarding the earlier criminal case, the alleged threats made to her and her daughters, and the circumstances in which she agreed to a compromise.

Police will also look into the claim that a private video was recorded without her knowledge and allegedly used to blackmail her.

The allegations of repeated sexual assault, physical violence and pressure to change religion will also form part of the investigation.

The police may examine electronic evidence, communication records and other material linked to the complaint as part of the probe.

Investigation will determine the next course of action

The case has drawn attention because of the range and seriousness of the allegations made by the woman, who says she faced repeated abuse while pregnant.

The police have stressed that the case is under investigation.

The FIR records the woman's allegations, but the claims will have to be examined through evidence and the legal process.

The outcome of the investigation will determine whether further action is taken against the four accused. At present, the case includes allegations of rape, assault, criminal intimidation, blackmail and pressure to convert religion.

Police say they are investigating the complete sequence of events.

No arrests have been made so far, and further developments in the case are expected as investigators examine the evidence and record statements.

(With inputs from agencies)