Dalit girl molested by Mufti under pretence of treatment through exorcism and black magic, pressurised to perform Nikah

Case Summary
In Hardoi district, Uttar Pradesh, a Dalit girl accused a Mufti named Imran of exploiting her in the name of black magic. The 22-year-old victim, who had frequently fallen ill, was taken by her family to Mufti Imran in November 2023 for exorcism, as they believed she was possessed by an evil spirit. Initially, her health seemed to improve, but the victim later revealed that Mufti Imran used his position to molest her during these exorcism sessions. The victim stated that Imran threatened her, saying she would never marry and that he would perform a Nikah and keep her with him. He also allegedly made her fall sick again using black magic so she would return to him for treatment. The girl described experiencing panic attacks at home, during which she would repeatedly call out Imran’s name, after which her family would take her to him for relief. The victim’s family, fearing the influence of a "Jinn," had initially sought help from other exorcists but turned to Mufti Imran when they saw no improvement. Upon realizing the abuse, the girl reported the incident to the police, who arrested Mufti Imran and charged him with assault, indecency, and threatening the victim.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case has been added to the tracker under the prime category of 'Predatory proselytisation' because of the various distinct components that demonstrate the Muslim cleric's bias against the Hindu faith and his deliberate attempt to alienate the victim from her Hindu identity. Further, based on the details of the case, it has been placed under the sub-category- Proselytisation by grooming, brainwashing, manipulation or subtle indoctrination. Religious brainwashing essentially means the often subtle and forcible indoctrination to induce someone to give up their religious beliefs to accept contrasting regimented ideas. Religious grooming or brainwashing also involves propaganda and manipulation. It involves the systematic effort, driven by religious malice and indoctrination, to persuade “non-believers’ to accept allegiance, command, or doctrine to and of a contrasting faith. Cases of such grooming or brainwashing are far more nuanced than direct threats, coercion, inducement and violence. In such cases, it is often seen that there is repeated, subtle and continual manipulation of the victim to induce disaffection towards their own faith and acceptance of the contrasting faith of the perpetrator. While subtle indoctrination is widely acknowledged as predatory, an element which is often understated in such conversions or the attempts of such conversion is the role of loyalty and trust which might develop between the perpetrator and the victim. Fiduciary relationships are often abused to affect such religious conversion. For example, an educator transmitting religious doctrine of a competing faith to a Hindu student. The Hindu student is likely to accept what the teacher is transmitting owing to existence of the fiduciary relationship. The exploitation of the fiduciary relationship to religiously indoctrinate victims would also be included in this category. Since the underlying animosity towards the victim’s faith forms the basis of predatory proselytization, such cases are considered religiously motivated hate crimes. In this instance, the Muslim cleric, at first, manipulated the victim's vulnerability under the guise of black magic treatment, exploiting her trust and superstition. He subtly brainwashed her through fear and superstition, making her dependent on his supposed spiritual power. The Mufti then sexually harassed and molested the victim under the pretext of treatment, reinforcing the predatory nature of his actions. Further, the perpetrator pressured and threatened the victim to perform Nikah and stay with him. This also underscores his manipulative tactics to impose his religious agenda on the victim. Such predatory actions stem from doctrinal animosity towards the Hindu faith and its adherents since Abrahamic faiths believe that any non-adherent to the faith is subject to be dehumanised till they convert. Consequently, this case is being documented as a religiously motivated hate crime.
Victim Details
Total Victim
1
Deceased
0
Gender
- Male 0
- Female 1
- Third Gender 0
- Unknown 0
Caste
- SC/ST 1
- OBC 0
- General 0
- Unknown 0
Age Group
- Minor 0
- Adult 1
- Senior Citizen 0
- Unknown 0

Case Status
Arrested

Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Muslim Extremists
Perpetrators Range
One Person
Perpetrators Gender
male