Nagpur Police have arrested a cleric, identified as Hazrat Maulana, in connection with the alleged forced religious conversion of a 24-year-old woman — the wife of an Indian Air Force officer. The accused was apprehended in Madhya Pradesh and brought to Nagpur for questioning, according to police officials.

Key Developments

The principal accused, Ayaaz Madare (26), and his associate, Ameen Shaikh, were already in police custody before Hazrat Maulana's arrest. Investigators believe the cleric played a central role in conducting the alleged conversion and a purported marriage ceremony. Police said further details are expected to emerge from his interrogation.

What the Complainant Alleged

According to the First Information Report (FIR), the woman alleged that on 8 February 2025, she met Ayaaz at a hotel where he allegedly mixed an intoxicating substance into her drink. She claimed that after losing consciousness, compromising photographs and videos were taken without her consent. The accused allegedly used this material to threaten her — warning that the content would be shared with her husband and circulated online — and reportedly extorted nearly ₹4 lakh from her.

The complainant further alleged she was repeatedly subjected to sexual assault. She also alleged that Ayaaz regularly forced her to consume a liquid from a plastic bottle, after which he would chant in Urdu, blow on her face, and describe the act as hypnosis or black magic before assaulting her.

The Alleged Conversion and Nikah Ceremony

A separate incident alleged in the complaint reportedly took place on 31 May, when the woman was taken to Kalmeshwar by the accused and his associate. There, Hazrat Maulana allegedly conducted religious rituals and compelled her to utter 'qubool hai' against her wishes. The cleric subsequently declared her conversion and performed a nikah ceremony with Ayaaz, according to her statement.

A video that circulated widely on social media — allegedly showing a man holding the woman by the hand while reciting religious verses — sparked outrage and drew increased public attention to the case. In the footage, the woman can reportedly be seen crying and pleading to be released.

What Investigators Are Examining

Police officials said they are seeking documents related to the alleged marriage and are examining whether additional individuals were involved. Authorities are also exploring whether similar incidents involving other women may have occurred, suggesting the probe could widen significantly.

This comes amid a broader national conversation around cases of alleged coercive conversion, with the Nagpur case drawing particular scrutiny given the complainant's identity as the spouse of a serving Air Force officer. The investigation remains active, and further arrests have not been ruled out.