Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, September 4, 2025 – In a heartbreaking incident that has shaken the holy city of Varanasi, a 12-year-old Hindu girl was allegedly kidnapped, forced to change her religion, and married off against her will. The case came to light after the girl’s father endured months of desperate searching, only to face death threats from a large crowd when he tried to rescue her. Police have now arrested five people, including the main accused, a young man named Nihal, and a local cleric.
The story began about three months ago in the Konia area under Adampur police station. The girl, whose name is being withheld to protect her privacy, went missing while playing near her home. Her father, a daily wage worker, filed a missing person report right away, but the trail seemed cold for weeks. He knocked on every door, visited local spots, and even reached out to community leaders, but got no leads. “I couldn’t sleep or eat, thinking about where my daughter was,” he later told reporters, his voice breaking with emotion.
Things took a dark turn when the father got a tip that his daughter was being held at the home of Nihal, a Muslim youth from the same neighborhood. Nihal, reportedly in his teens, is accused of luring the girl away, converting her to Islam under pressure, and arranging an illegal marriage. Sources say a local maulvi performed the nikah ceremony, despite both the girl and Nihal being minors. This act not only broke laws on child marriage but also raised serious questions about forced conversions in the region.
When the father showed up at Nihal’s house to confront the family and bring his daughter back, he was met with hostility. A mob of around 200 people gathered quickly, surrounding him and shouting threats. They called him a “kafir” (non-believer) and warned that his daughter now belonged to their faith, so he had no right to her. “They said they would kill me if I didn’t leave,” the father recalled. He barely escaped and rushed to the police commissioner’s office for help. It was only after Commissioner Mohit Agrawal stepped in that a formal case was registered under laws against kidnapping, forced conversion, and threats.
Police acted fast after the complaint. They raided the house, rescued the girl, and arrested Nihal along with a woman believed to be involved- possibly his mother who helped hide the child. Later, the maulvi who conducted the ceremony and two more suspects, including Nihal’s father Sharif and brother Lalu, were picked up. That’s five arrests so far. A video circulating on social media shows some of the accused doing sit-ups in the police station as a form of public shaming, though officials say it’s part of making them realize their mistake.
The girl is now safe and undergoing medical checks. Doctors are looking into any signs of trauma or abuse, though no details have been shared yet. She’s back with her family, but the emotional scars might take time to heal. Her father says she’s quiet and scared, hardly speaking about what happened. Community groups are stepping in to offer counseling and support.
This case has sparked outrage across Uttar Pradesh and beyond. Some see it as part of a bigger issue of “love jihad”- where girls are targeted for conversion through fake relationships- but police are treating it as a straightforward crime. As of today, the investigation is ongoing. Police are questioning the arrested suspects and looking for any others who might have helped. The girl’s statement will be key in court. Authorities have promised strict action under relevant sections.
