What We Know So Far About Bhopal Gang Rape And 'Love Jihad' Case: Modus Operandi, Religious Coercion, Extent Of Abuse

A systematic sexual exploitation racket targeting Hindu female students in Bhopal has triggered nationwide outrage, with investigations revealing chilling parallels to the 1992 Ajmer rape scandal.

Hindu female students were targeted by a gang accused of 'Love Jihad' — befriending, sexually assaulting, blackmailing them with obscene videos, and pressuring them to convert religion, the Amar Ujala reported. 

The issue was brought to light earlier this month when a 19-year-old woman went to the police and claimed that Farhan, her friend from college, had raped her and recorded private videos to blackmail her. The woman said that Farhan and his friend, Sahil, raped and blackmailed her friends after forcing her to introduce the girls to them, the NDTV reported.

Modus Operandi:  

The gang, led by Farhan Khan, allegedly lured students from a private engineering college into relationships, drugged them, recorded sexual assaults, and used videos for blackmail.

Religious Coercion: 

Victims reported being pressured to convert to Islam and marry their assailants, with threats to leak explicit videos.

According to India TV News, two sisters pursuing B.Tech were separately raped by Farhan and his associate Mohammad Ali, with one forced to consume non-vegetarian food against her beliefs.

A minor was lured by accused Shahrukh and raped by his associate Ayan, with the assault recorded, as per the NDTV.

Legal and Police Action:

Cases have been registered under the POCSO Act, IT Act, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act.

The New Indian Express reported that Special Investigation Teams (SITs) have been formed to probe the matter thoroughly, and cybercrime experts are tracing financial transactions and digital evidence.

As investigations deepen, the Bhopal gang rape and alleged 'Love Jihad' case continues to expose a troubling pattern of systematic abuse and religious coercion.

Many survivors, according to NDTV, have not come forward to report the incident out of fear of social stigma and slander. They have been given the opportunity to receive counselling. According to police, the group may have targeted other pupils and acted in a systematic manner.