Hindu girl forcibly abducted by Muslim man amidst concerns of forced religious conversion
Saraikela, Jharkhand, India 
30 April, 2025
Case Summary
In the Jhimdi village of Neemdih block, located in the Saraikela-Kharsawan district of Jharkhand, a Hindu woman named Rita Mahato was abducted by a Muslim man, Tasleem Ansari. According to reports, the woman was abducted by threatening her with weapons, in a well-planned conspiracy involving the accused’s family. Rangnath Mahato, the convenor of Bajrang Dal in Jharkhand, stated that Rita Mahato was abducted under a well-planned conspiracy involving Tasleem Ansari, his family, and other community members. He further stated that the perpetrators used threats and intimidation to facilitate the abduction. Mahato highlighted concerns about a pattern of similar incidents in Jharkhand, where Hindu women are targeted for forced conversions by Muslim men. He referenced the Jharkhand Freedom of Religion Act, 2017, which prohibits conversions through coercion, allurement, or fraudulent means, and called upon the administration to take immediate action to ensure Rita Mahato's safe return to her family. This incident underscores ongoing tensions in the region related to religious conversions by force, deceit and intimidation, with Hindu organisations urging authorities to enforce existing laws to prevent such occurrences.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
In this case, a Hindu woman was reportedly abducted by a Muslim man, Tasleem Ansari, under circumstances described by members of the Hindu organisation Bajrang Dal as a premeditated conspiracy involving the accused’s family. They alleged that the woman was abducted at gunpoint and pointed to a broader pattern of similar incidents in Jharkhand, where Hindu women are frequently targeted for forced conversions by Muslim men. The case potentially reflects religious profiling, as several past instances have demonstrated a recurring pattern in which Muslim perpetrators have targeted Hindu women with coercion, deception, or force, often with the intention of conversion. However, due to the lack of direct evidence at present confirming a religious motive in this specific instance, the case is currently listed under the 'Undecided' category in the Hinduphobia tracker. Further uncertainty surrounds the age of the victim, which remains unverified. If the woman is a minor, serious concerns would arise about her ability to give informed consent, especially if coercion or manipulation were involved. Conversely, if she is an adult, legal autonomy must be considered in evaluating whether the incident involved abduction or consensual elopement. It is also important to note that the victim has not issued any statement regarding the matter. In the absence of her testimony or further concrete evidence, such as proof of coercion, force, or religious targeting, the case will remain in the ‘Undecided’ category. It may be reclassified if future details substantiate a clear hate crime or religiously motivated offence.
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 0
- Senior Citizen 0
- Unknown 1
Case Status
Unknown
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Muslim Extremists
Perpetrators Range
One Person
Perpetrators Gender
male
Sources 
