ADDL.SP South Bareilly Anshika Verma
Bareilly, August 28, 2025 – In a major breakthrough, Bareilly Police have busted an inter-state racket involved in forced religious conversions, arresting four people, including key figure Abdul Majeed. The arrests, made on Monday, have shaken the community and raised serious questions about the safety of vulnerable individuals across multiple states.
The operation kicked off after a tip-off at Bhuta police station from Akhilesh Kumari, an Aligarh resident. She reported that her visually-impaired son, Prabhat Upadhyay, was lured with a marriage proposal to convert to Islam. Police acted quickly, raiding a madrasa in Faiznagar where they found Upadhyay held against his will. Alongside Abdul Majeed (35), the group included Salman Raza (30), Mohammad Arif (29), and Mohammad Faheem (24). A fifth suspect, Mehmood Beg, is still on the run.
Authorities say the gang targeted vulnerable people, poor, unmarried youth, and those with disabilities, using tricks like fake marriage offers and cash promises. Salman, a tailor, would visit Hindu families pretending to help, while Faheem, a hairdresser, spotted potential targets at his shop. Once convinced, victims were taken to the madrasa, where they were brainwashed with religious texts and videos, including ones featuring fugitive preacher Zakir Naik. The police seized evidence like conversion certificates, religious books, CDs, skull caps, garlands, and even a first aid box with blades.
One shocking find was a certificate showing a man, Brijpal Sahu, converted to Islam and renamed Abdullah, along with his mother, Usha Rani, now Amina. This suggests the racket may have targeted entire families. SP South Anshika Verma told reporters that the gang’s network stretched across 13 states and 30 districts, hinting at a larger operation. They also uncovered 21 bank accounts with heavy transactions, raising suspicions of more victims.
A case has been filed under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021, and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Prabhat was rescued and reunited with his family, while the accused face serious charges. This is the sixth such racket busted in UP this year, following similar cases in Balrampur, Agra, Prayagraj, Kushinagar, and Aligarh.
The news has sparked mixed reactions. Some praise the police for their swift action, while others worry about how widespread this issue might be. Families are asking how such groups can operate so openly. Critics point out that while laws exist, enforcement needs to be tighter to protect people from exploitation.
Police are now digging deeper, trying to track down Mehmood Beg and uncover the full scope of the network. They suspect many more conversions may have happened quietly. For now, the arrests offer some hope to those affected, but the case leaves a big question: how can authorities stop this from happening again?
As investigations continue, the focus is on justice for victims and stronger safeguards. Bareilly’s crackdown is a step forward, but it’s clear this fight is far from over.
