A shocking case has come to light from Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, where a young Hindu woman was allegedly trapped, raped, and blackmailed by a Muslim man pretending to be Hindu. The case, which is being reported in the media as an incident of “love jihad,” involves a man identified as Raza Khan, who also goes by Raees Khan in some reports. He allegedly lied to the woman, using the fake Hindu name “Raja” to gain her trust.

Raza Khan worked as a gym trainer, and the woman was one of the clients at his gym. Over nearly two years, he developed a relationship with her by hiding his real name and religion. According to the woman's complaint, the man tricked her into going to a hotel, where he raped her. During this time, he secretly recorded obscene videos and photos of her without her consent. These videos were later used by the accused to blackmail the victim. He threatened to release them publicly if she refused to continue the relationship or tried to speak out.

The victim later found out that the man was not “Raja,” a Hindu bachelor, but actually Raza/Raees Khan, a married Muslim man with two children. This revelation came as a major shock to her, especially after trusting him for so long. The situation worsened when the victim said that he started forcing her to convert to Islam and marry him. She shared that Raza took her to mosques and dargahs against her will, and pressured her to perform Islamic prayers (namaz). This was all part of his attempt to make her change her religion and accept an Islamic marriage.

Terrified of the consequences and fearing that society would shame her, the young woman suffered in silence for several months. She didn’t speak up because of the shame, fear of backlash, and the threat of her videos being leaked. However, the situation reached a breaking point when her family arranged her marriage to another man. The accused, trying to stop this, allegedly used the obscene videos again. He sent or threatened to send the footage to the groom’s family, which led to the engagement being called off.

At this point, the woman could no longer bear the pressure. She finally confessed everything to her family, telling them about the abuse and blackmail she had faced. With their support, she decided to take legal action against the man who had shattered her life.

Police Action and Legal Proceedings

On April 8, 2025, the victim, with the support of her family and local activists, went to the Rorawar Police Station in Aligarh to file a complaint. After reading her written statement, the police quickly started an investigation and filed a First Information Report (FIR). The FIR includes several serious charges, such as rape, identity concealment with intent to exploit, criminal intimidation, and attempting to force religious conversion and marriage.

In Uttar Pradesh, any attempt to force someone to convert—especially using lies or marriage—is punishable under the state's strict anti-conversion law. This law is called the Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021, and it punishes such crimes with jail terms of up to 10 years. It applies when someone tries to convert another person by coercion, misrepresentation, or for marriage purposes. Although the police haven’t shared the exact legal sections applied in this case, media reports clearly state that the charges match this law, especially since the accused allegedly “pressured her to embrace Islam and do nikah”.

The Superintendent of Police (SP), Mrigank Shekhar Pathak, confirmed to the press that the case was registered quickly. In his own words: “The young woman filed a tahrir (written complaint) yesterday alleging a person misled and wronged her. An FIR has been lodged in this matter at Thana Rorawar immediately. We will be following legal procedure to arrest the accused at the soonest,” he said. He also confirmed that the accused was already known to the victim through the gym and that he had in fact hidden his identity and religion during their interactions.

As of April 11, 2025, the accused has still not been arrested. Police teams are actively looking for him and have promised to take “strict legal action” against him. The case includes not just rape and blackmail, but also the charge of forced religious conversion, which makes it even more serious under the current law.

This case has now become one of the many being tracked under Uttar Pradesh’s anti-conversion law, showing how deceit and exploitation can lead to emotional and social destruction in a young woman’s life.

Victim and Accused Profiles

The young Hindu girl at the heart of the Aligarh case has not been named in any reports, and her identity has been kept confidential for her safety and dignity. What is known, however, is that she belongs to Aligarh city, with some reports specifically mentioning the Delhi Gate area as her locality. A simple girl focused on her fitness and well-being, she used to attend “The Force” gym located at Haddi Godam Chauraha, often accompanied by her brother. It was here, amid her regular gym routine in 2023, that her life took a terrible turn when she encountered the man who would go on to shatter her trust and peace.

The man she met at the gym introduced himself as “Raja”, a name that sounded comfortably familiar and Hindu. Over the span of two years, she continued to believe in this identity. During this time, she suffered in silence, carrying the unbearable weight of sexual exploitation, blackmail, and psychological torture. She could not speak out, not because she didn’t want justice, but because she was haunted by the fear of society’s judgment, the shame attached to the obscene videos, and the threats made by the man who had once pretended to care for her. The trauma wasn’t just physical—it crept into her self-esteem, her family’s future, and her ability to trust.

But eventually, hope returned in the form of support. Her family stood by her, and activist groups stepped in to guide her through the storm. With their help, she mustered the courage to break her silence and approach the police. She has since given a full statement to the authorities and is now actively seeking justice through legal means, hoping her voice will not only punish the man responsible but also protect others from a similar fate.

As for the accused, his identity is a story of deliberate deception. While he introduced himself to the girl as “Raja,” reports have confirmed his real name is Raza Khan, although some Hindi media accounts also refer to him as Raees Khan. He is a Muslim man, believed to be in his late 20s or early 30s, and was working as a gym trainer and owner of the very gym where the victim had placed her trust in fitness and safety.

What adds another layer of betrayal to this already horrifying case is the fact that Raza is married and has two children. Yet, none of this was revealed to the victim. He concealed his marriage, his religion, and his family—a calculated move that suggests a clear, preplanned intention to exploit. His choice to operate under a Hindu alias while being married, and still pursuing another woman through deception, shows that this was not a mistake, but a planned act.

Some sources have even pointed to transliteration confusion, with mentions like “Raza (Raees) Khan, son of X,” while one news agency mistakenly reported the name “Shahbaz Khan.” However, all major and consistent reports now confirm that the man behind this crime is Raza or Raees Khan.

Since the time the complaint was filed, Raza Khan has been absconding. Police have confirmed that he has disappeared from public view, likely to avoid arrest due to the serious charges and heavy media attention. Given the severity of the accusations—rape, identity fraud, blackmail, and forced religious conversion—it is expected that he is trying hard to escape law enforcement. The Aligarh police have formed special teams to track him down, and his photos and identity details have been circulated among police departments. If and when he is arrested, he will be prosecuted under multiple sections, including those under IPC for rape (Section 376), criminal intimidation, and Uttar Pradesh’s Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act. If proven guilty, he could face a long prison sentence, possibly extending to ten years or more depending on the charges upheld.

This horrifying incident has now grown beyond just a legal case—it has sparked political uproar and social activism, especially among groups and leaders who have long warned against “love jihad.” The public response has been fierce, and the political reaction even fiercer.

Local BJP Leaders and Hindu Organizations

When the news of the young woman’s suffering came out, local BJP leaders and Hindu groups acted swiftly. According to reports, the victim did not walk into the police station alone. She was escorted by BJP workers, who ensured her complaint was heard and registered without delay or interference. Their presence gave her strength and ensured that the legal process began firmly.

Among the prominent figures who supported her was Advocate Sanju Bajaj, a known BJP office-bearer from Aligarh Mahanagar. He has taken a lead role in speaking out about this case. From the start, Bajaj and his colleagues have stood firmly beside the girl’s family, helping them navigate the police system, speaking to the media, and ensuring that her story was not brushed under the carpet. For them, this wasn’t just about one case—it was about highlighting what they believe is a larger pattern of targeted deception against Hindu girls.

In his statements to the press, Sanju Bajaj left no doubt about where he stands. He boldly said, “Muslim youths are assuming Hindu names to trap our daughters. This is part of a conspiracy of love jihad.” His message was clear: such acts are not just crimes but a planned agenda. He further added that “Hindu women need to be alert to such tactics,” urging families to stay cautious. His condemnation was absolute. Bajaj stated that such people “have no place in society.” He also emphasized how the victim’s planned marriage was destroyed, solely because of the accused’s misuse of obscene videos, once again highlighting the calculated cruelty in the accused’s actions.

This strong intervention by Bajaj and others shows that the BJP and associated groups are not treating this as an isolated incident. Instead, they are using this case as a wake-up call—an opportunity to press for the strictest punishment under existing laws, and to urge for more vigilance and stronger protections for girls.

Meanwhile, activist groups like the Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) have also joined hands in supporting the victim. These organizations are often seen assisting victims in such cases, especially in Uttar Pradesh. They are known to step in when police are slow to act, though in this case, since the FIR was filed promptly, there was no need for public protests. However, the activists remain closely involved, monitoring the progress and ensuring the system doesn’t fail the victim.

It is important to understand that Aligarh has a history of communal tension, and “love jihad” cases have been a sensitive topic here. For years, BJP and Hindutva organizations have raised concerns about such patterns. So, it is not surprising that they mobilized quickly in this case too.

Looking ahead, these organizations may submit formal memorandums or appeals demanding swift and strict action. There is also talk of awareness campaigns—plans are being made to conduct drives in coaching centers, gyms, and colleges across Aligarh to educate young girls about how such traps are set. Leaders like Bajaj intend to use this case as an example to push for statewide enforcement of anti-conversion laws with even more seriousness.

This case is no longer just about one victim. It has become a reflection of deeper fears and realities in society, bringing together law, politics, community safety, and justice.

Socio-Political Context and Similar Love Jihad Incidents

What happened in Aligarh is not something entirely new or unheard of in Uttar Pradesh. In fact, it reflects a repeating pattern that has been gradually emerging across various parts of the state and even in other parts of India. The incident involving Raza Khan, who used the name “Raja” to hide his identity, is seen by many as part of a broader and deeply troubling trend of “Love Jihad.”

The term “Love Jihad” has become widely known over the past decade. It is used to describe alleged efforts by Muslim men to form romantic or marital relationships with Hindu, Christian, or Sikh women, with the hidden motive of forcing them to convert to Islam. While this idea is strongly promoted by some groups, it is also criticized by others. Critics say that many of these cases may just be individual crimes or failed relationships and not part of a larger conspiracy. However, there have been many police complaints that describe the same kind of details—a Muslim man hiding his identity, a long-term romantic relationship, and pressure to convert, which is what makes cases like the one in Aligarh difficult to ignore.

What makes this more concerning is that Aligarh district itself has seen multiple such disturbing cases in recent years. One such incident occurred in July 2024, and its similarities to the current case are chilling. In that case, a woman from Aligarh said that a man named Akib posed as “Akash,” a Hindu, and entered into a relationship with her. For two full years, she stayed with him under false beliefs. She later said that he raped her repeatedly during this period. When she finally asked him to marry her, he revealed his real Muslim identity and told her she must convert to Islam before marriage. Things turned even darker when he threatened to kill her and her family with a gun if they approached the police.

This victim, like the one in the Raza Khan case, found courage and support through a Hindu organization. With their help, she approached the Aligarh police, who then formed multiple special teams to search for Akib, who had run away after the complaint. This case had the same key features—a false name, ongoing abuse, pressure to convert, and violent threats. It mirrors the Raza Khan case so closely that many now believe this is not coincidence but a pattern.

Other serious incidents have also taken place in Aligarh. In one case from 2023, a man named Javed was accused of befriending two Hindu sisters. He allegedly kidnapped one of them, who was a minor, by misleading her with lies. This incident caused strong communal tension in the area, and Javed was arrested. Then there are other cases where Hindu women claimed they were tricked or forced into relationships by Muslim men, some of which even ended in physical violence.

The city of Aligarh is home to the famous Aligarh Muslim University, and it has a mixed population with both Hindus and Muslims. Because of this, it has been a place where communal tensions can rise quickly. The growing number of such “love jihad” cases only adds to that already sensitive environment.

If we look beyond Aligarh, the issue is just as serious across Uttar Pradesh. When the Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government came to power, it took legal action against forced conversions, passing an anti-conversion ordinance in late 2020, which later became a full law. According to a report from late 2021, around 77 cases were filed within the first year of the law being in effect, and many of them were about Hindu-Muslim relationships involving deception or coercion.

As of 2025, this number has only increased. The Aligarh case involving Raza Khan will now become part of these official statistics. The law was created because of the rising number of complaints and the political narrative around “love jihad.” It was meant to protect women from being tricked or forced into changing their religion, especially for marriage. Still, critics of the law argue that it is often misused, saying that even consensual interfaith relationships get wrongly labeled as love jihad.

However, cases like the one in Aligarh seem to be exactly what the law aims to stop—where there is clear deception, sexual abuse, blackmail, and religious pressure all tied together. These incidents provide strong support to those who believe the law is necessary.

Conclusion

The heartbreaking story of Raza Khan (who pretended to be “Raja”) and the young woman he deceived is not just about one person’s pain—it represents a larger crisis that touches on crime, religion, gender, and politics. At the center is a young woman who faced abuse, blackmail, and religious coercion, yet still found the courage to stand up and seek justice. Her strength, backed by her family and activists, shines through the darkness of the situation.

What makes this case so important is that it touches on many levels of concern. It is a criminal matter, a case of rape and blackmail, and also a communal issue that has led to serious debate about religious identity and hidden motives in relationships. It has become part of a national conversation on “love jihad” and has raised many questions about how society and the law respond to such crimes.

Right now, the top priority is to arrest Raza Khan and bring him to justice. The evidence collected—especially the obscene videos and the victim’s detailed statement—will be very important in court. If found guilty, Raza could be punished under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code (rape) and the Uttar Pradesh anti-conversion law. Together, these could lead to a long jail term, possibly over 10 years.

One of the few hopeful parts of this case is how the police acted quickly, registering the complaint without delay, and how the public reaction has been mostly supportive of the victim. It is a good sign that the woman has not been blamed or shamed in any respected news platform—a positive change from earlier years, when victims of sexual crimes were often forced into silence due to fear and social pressure.

This case serves as a reminder for everyone—especially young women—to stay alert, verify personal details in relationships, and speak out without fear when something feels wrong. It also shows the power of support—from families, communities, and leaders—to help victims break free and demand justice.