Hindu girl raped and murdered by Muslim ex-boyfriend in Assam; blackmailed with private photos and killed for ending relationship
Barpeta, Assam, India 
17 July, 2025
Case Summary
In Sarupeta town of Bajali district, Assam, a 19-year-old Hindu girl named Manika Barman was raped and murdered by her former Muslim boyfriend named Arif Ahmed. According to reports, the victim was previously in a relationship with the Muslim man, Arif Ahmed, which she ended because it was negatively affecting her studies. The victim's mother also raised objections to the relationship because of Arif's religious background. After the breakup, the Hindu girl began dating another man. This infuriated the Muslim man, who began threatening her and demanding that she return to him. He blackmailed her using their intimate photographs from their previous relationship and harassed her for several months. Her family reported that she was visibly distressed due to the constant threats and harassment. Arif coerced the Hindu girl out of her house using threats and intimidation. When they met, an argument broke out between the two, during which he sexually assaulted her and then strangled her to death. After committing the crime, he transported her body to a rented room where he hanged her from a ceiling fan in an attempt to portray the murder as a suicide. However, forensic analysis and examination of the crime scene revealed clear signs of rape and murder. As of the date of writing this report, Arif Ahmed was arrested by the police. The investigation was ongoing.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case has been added to the 'Undecided' database due to the absence of concrete evidence suggesting a religious motive behind the crime or that the victim was targeted based on her religious identity. In this case, the Hindu girl was killed by the Muslim man because she ended the relationship and moved on with her life. While this is on the lines of a pattern where Hindu women have been targeted by Muslim men for various nefarious purposes, such as religious conversion, but without clear evidence, it would be inappropriate to categorise this as a hate crime. Although there is a clear precedent for such incidents, where Hindu women have been murdered by Muslim men for rejecting relationships or marriage proposals. As of now, the primary motive appears to stem from personal betrayal and emotional instability, a crime of passion rather than any ideological or religious intent. However, should further information emerge during the investigation, particularly regarding any religious motivation behind the crime, the case will be re-evaluated and reclassified as a hate crime.
Victim Details
Total Victim
1
Deceased
0
Gender
- Male 0
- Female 1
- Third Gender 0
- Unknown 0
Caste
- SC/ST 0
- OBC 0
- General 0
- Unknown 1
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
Sources 
