Pune: A 32-year-old Hindu widow from Pune has accused a Muslim man of coercing her into religious conversion and defrauding her of ₹32 lakh. The incident was highlighted by BJP leader Manjusha Nagpure and BJP Pune City General Secretary Deepak Nagpure, who claim that similar cases of ‘Love Jihad’ are on the rise in the city and district.
The widow, a resident of the Sinhagad Road area, lost her husband in recent years. During this period, the accused Akbar Bahadur Sheikh allegedly built a relationship with her by gaining her trust and offering emotional support.
Over time, Sheikh is accused of misappropriating ₹32 lakh, which included her late husband’s survivor benefits and gold jewelry. The victim has further claimed that Sheikh pressured her to convert to Islam against her will. FIR has been registered in this regard at the Sinhagad Road police station in Pune.
Speaking on the case during a press conference, BJP leader Manjusha Nagpure stated: "The accused first manipulated the woman emotionally and later took advantage of her financially. Once she realized his fraudulent intentions, she came forward. However, many such cases remain unreported, and we urge victims to approach authorities without fear."
BJP Pune City General Secretary Deepak Nagpure added that similar incidents have been reported in increasing numbers: "In the past year alone, we have received complaints about more than 50 such cases in Pune city and district. However, many victims hesitate to file complaints due to fear or societal pressure. We appeal to women not to remain silent and to seek legal recourse."
Nagpure also raised concerns about the role of matrimonial websites and matchmaking agencies, alleging that some individuals use fake documents and false identities to deceive women. He called for strict verification measures, warning that such platforms could also face legal consequences if they fail to screen profiles properly.
