Police Register Case After Woman's Complaint
A 30-year-old pregnant woman has accused three brothers and their uncle of repeatedly raping and assaulting her in Gujarat's Banaskantha district, according to police. The woman also alleged that she was blackmailed with a private video and forced to undergo religious conversion. Based on her complaint, a case was registered at Dhanera police station on August 20.
The accused have been identified as Akhtar Rajabshah Fakir, his brothers Arif Rajabshah Fakir and Iliyas Rajabshah Fakir, and their uncle Salimshah Jumashah Fakir.
Allegations of Assault and Blackmail
The woman, who was five months pregnant at the time, alleged that she was subjected to repeated sexual assault and physical abuse. She claimed that Akhtar, who knew her estranged husband, developed a close relationship with her after claiming that his grandfather could provide "tantric" remedies for her health problems.
According to the FIR, the woman had previously filed a sexual assault case against Akhtar and his relatives at Palanpur East police station in April, following which Akhtar and two others were arrested. Arif and Iliyas, who were absconding in that case, allegedly threatened to kill her and kidnap her daughters, forcing her to file an affidavit before the Gujarat High Court for a compromise.
After Akhtar was released from jail on June 16, the woman moved with him to Pengiya village in Dhanera taluka, hoping things would improve. However, she alleged that Akhtar continued to rape and beat her despite her pregnancy and pressed her to contact other men over phone calls. When she refused, the men allegedly used a secretly recorded private video to blackmail her and threatened to make it viral on social media.
The woman also accused the four men of forcing her to undergo conversion. She alleged that a local cleric was brought to perform a 'nikah' ceremony after she was given a spiked drink, and her name was changed to 'Fiza'. She further claimed that the men threatened to bring her daughters from their grandparents and force them to convert.
Incident of July 21 and Police Response
On July 21, the four men allegedly beat the woman and threw her out of the house. She sought help from a shopkeeper and then contacted the 181 women's helpline, moving to Lakhani with her mother's support.
The accused have been booked for rape, criminal intimidation, assault, and under the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act. Police said investigations are ongoing and no arrests have been made yet. Inspector SD Chaudhary stated, "We have started further investigation. No one has been arrested yet."