Another case of 'love jihad' has surfaced in Jharkhand, this time in the Maoist-affected Chatra district.
A Muslim youth impersonating as a Hindu has allegedly sexually exploited a minor Hindu girl over the last 10 months after promising to marry her.
Ten days back, a national level shooter in Ranchi had lodged an FIR accusing her businessman-husband of duping her into marriage by concealing his religious affiliation and later coercing her to embrace Islam.
Read: Jharkhand HC suspends official linked to ‘love jihad’
The incident in Chatra came to light on Thursday after the girl lodged an FIR. The accused, Md Yasin alias Ehsan, was arrested and remanded in judicial custody.
Identifying himself as Sonu Singh, the man allegedly lured the girl into his love net and sexually exploited her.
Chatra police have, however, termed the incident as a case of abduction and exploitation of a minor girl.
Political and social organisations took to the streets on Thursday afternoon and forced markets to shut down to protest against the incident.
The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Hindu Jagran Manch have demanded punishment for the accused.
Read: Ranchi shooter's husband held in 'love jihad' case
According to the police, the minor girl hails from Barwatoli village under Pratappur police station and the accused from neighbouring Mado village under Lawalong police station area. He carried a fake voters' identity card issued in the name of Sonu Singh and lured the girl.
The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Hindu Jagran Manch have demanded punishment for the accused.
Read: Ranchi shooter's husband held in 'love jihad' case
According to the police, the minor girl hails from Barwatoli village under Pratappur police station and the accused from neighbouring Mado village under Lawalong police station area. He carried a fake voters' identity card issued in the name of Sonu Singh and lured the girl.
His real identity was revealed on Tuesday when villagers got wind of his family links and informed the girl's family about it. The girl's family tried to catch him but Yasin fled with the girl, who is eight months pregnant.
The family members along with the villagers managed to catch the duo from Mado on Wednesday. The police later took the accused into the custody. The girl has been sent to a Women's Home (Nari Niketan) following the court's order.
Chatra superintendent of police Prashant Karn said, "I object to the incident being termed as 'love jihad'. It is a simple act of abduction of a minor girl. The full medical report is still awaited but the doctors have confirmed that she has been 8 months pregnant."
Karn said the girl knew Sonu's religious affiliation.