Ulhasnagar, Maharashtra: Imran poses as Vijay to marry, convert a Hindu to Islam, arrested
According to the complaint filed by the woman, Imran, a garage worker, introduced himself to her in 2019 as a Hindu named ‘Vijay’
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In a novel case of love jihad that has come to the fore from Maharashtra's Ulhasnagar, a 27-year-old Hindu woman has accused a Muslim man of concealing his identity, posing as a Hindu to develop a relationship with her to marry her, and forcing her after their marriage to follow Muslim customs and traditions.
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According to the complaint filed by the woman, Imran, a garage worker, introduced himself to her in 2019 as a Hindu named ‘Vijay’. Police stated that he befriended her, entered into a relationship, and later took her to his hometown in Bihar, where he disclosed his actual identity and forcefully married her according to Muslim customs.
The complainant stated that the harassment escalated after the birth of their child. She also alleged that Imran had married another woman. When confronted, he reportedly told her that the second woman was also his wife and that he was allowed to marry multiple times.
Senior Police Inspector Shankar Awtade of Central police station said the FIR includes charges under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Section 85 (cruelty by husband or relatives), Section 75(2) (sexual harassment), Section 299 (hurting religious sentiments), Section 318(4) (cheating), Section 351 (criminal intimidation), and Section 352 (intentional insult aimed at provoking breach of peace).
In March 2026, the Maharashtra Assembly passed the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill to curb religious conversions carried out through coercion, fraud, inducement, or deception. Under the proposed law, unlawful religious conversion conducted under the guise of marriage can attract up to seven years of imprisonment along with a monetary fine.
The accused, Imran Sheikh, 33, has been arrested by officers of the Central police station here along with two of his brothers, who are among seven named as accused in the case filed by the woman on Monday, May 18. The accused have been booked for cheating and hurting religious sentiments, among other sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
According to the complaint filed by the woman, Imran, a garage worker, introduced himself to her in 2019 as a Hindu named ‘Vijay’. Police stated that he befriended her, entered into a relationship, and later took her to his hometown in Bihar, where he disclosed his actual identity and forcefully married her according to Muslim customs.
The woman alleged that after the marriage, she was pressured to adopt Islamic practices against her will. She claimed she was forced to wear a burqa and hijab, stop worshipping Hindu deities, and follow Muslim traditions. She further accused the family of compelling her to consume beef and stated that Imran often made objectionable remarks about Hindu Gods and Goddesses. According to her complaint, Imran’s brothers, parents, and other relatives also pressured her to adhere to Muslim customs.
The complainant stated that the harassment escalated after the birth of their child. She also alleged that Imran had married another woman. When confronted, he reportedly told her that the second woman was also his wife and that he was allowed to marry multiple times.
The family later returned to Ulhasnagar, but the woman claimed the mental and physical harassment continued even there. Feeling deceived and distressed, she eventually approached the police. Acting on her statement, the Central police registered a case against Imran, his brothers Salman Sheikh and Shahbaz Sheikh, their parents, and two other individuals.
Senior Police Inspector Shankar Awtade of Central police station said the FIR includes charges under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Section 85 (cruelty by husband or relatives), Section 75(2) (sexual harassment), Section 299 (hurting religious sentiments), Section 318(4) (cheating), Section 351 (criminal intimidation), and Section 352 (intentional insult aimed at provoking breach of peace).
The three arrested accused were produced before a court, which remanded them to police custody. Officials said further investigation into the matter is ongoing.
In March 2026, the Maharashtra Assembly passed the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill to curb religious conversions carried out through coercion, fraud, inducement, or deception. Under the proposed law, unlawful religious conversion conducted under the guise of marriage can attract up to seven years of imprisonment along with a monetary fine.