Deceased identified as Samreen from Pilkhuwa, who converted and married Aakib in a mosque ceremony; police launch probe
HAPUR – A grim discovery in a sugarcane field in Phuleri village under Garhmukteshwar Kotwali area in Uttar Pradesh’s Hapur has left locals stunned and sparked fresh fears among Muslim families in the region. The decomposed body of a woman, identified as Samreen, was found by farmers working in the field, who were alerted by a strong foul smell. Police reached the spot promptly, took the body into custody, and sent it for post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death.
According to initial reports, the body was around seven to eight days old, badly decomposed, and emitting a strong odour when discovered. Villagers informed the police, leading to swift action by authorities. The deceased has been identified as Samreen, a resident of Pilkhuwa in Hapur district. She had married Aakib, originally from Baghpat, about one year ago after converting her religion. The nikah ceremony took place in a local mosque following their love affair.
Sources close to the family said Samreen had left her in-laws’ home, telling them she was going to Muradnagar and Pilkhuwa, but she went missing thereafter. Her family had been searching for her, and now the tragic recovery of her body has raised serious questions about what happened in the intervening period.
A local and community member from Pilkhuwa, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed anguish: “Samreen was a young woman who chose her path with love and faith. She converted and married in a proper religious way. Sadly, her body was found in such a horrible state. This is heartbreaking for our community. Muslim women entering interfaith marriages often face immense risks, and cases like this make us worry about their safety and protection.”
Another villager from the area added, “Farmers were just doing their daily work when they smelled something terrible. When they checked, it was a woman’s body in a decayed condition. Police came quickly, but the family is devastated. We demand a thorough and fair investigation so justice is served.”
Police officials have confirmed that the matter is under active investigation. A senior officer from Garhmukteshwar Kotwali said, “We have recovered the body and sent it for post-mortem. Identification has been done through family statements and other details. All angles, including foul play, are being examined, and we are questioning relevant people.”
The case has drawn attention to the vulnerabilities faced by Muslim women in Uttar Pradesh who enter interfaith relationships or conversions. Community leaders have called for sensitivity in handling such matters, pointing out that while allegations of coercion sometimes dominate headlines, genuine consensual unions can turn tragic due to family pressures or other factors.
Samreen’s family has urged authorities to expedite the probe and ensure no stone is left unturned. As the post-mortem report is awaited, the incident has once again highlighted the need for better safeguards for women in mixed marriages and the importance of unbiased police work in such sensitive cases.
