Police also recover weapons but did not release details on how they were connected to the conversion allegations
RAMPUR — Police in Rampur district in Uttar Pradesh have arrested a former mosque imam, accusing him of attempting to convert a Hindu girl and circulating obscene videos. Officers further claimed to have recovered two 12-bore pistols, four live cartridges and a mobile phone from him.
The accused, identified as 60-year-old Raheem Ahmed, is a resident of Parchai Kumhariya village under Azimnagar police station. He was arrested on Thursday (21 August) after a complaint was lodged a day earlier.
According to police, the case came to light when a young woman released a video alleging that Ahmed had pressured her to convert and blackmailed her. Based on her complaint, a special team led by the City Officer was formed, which arrested Ahmed within 24 hours.
Senior police officials said that weapons and a mobile phone seized from him are now under forensic examination. A case has been filed against Ahmed under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act as well as provisions of the IT Act.
Police have not yet released details on how the recovered weapons are connected to the conversion allegations. Rights groups often caution that such recoveries are cited to frame a narrative of criminality alongside conversion cases.
This is not the first such incident in the state. Earlier this year, in Balrampur district, police arrested a Muslim cleric known as Changur Baba alias Jalaluddin, alleging he was part of a larger “conversion network” with links to foreign funding and unaccounted property worth more than ₹100 crore. He remains in jail.
Community members in Rampur, however, say that arrests under the state’s anti-conversion law disproportionately target Muslims and Christians. A local resident, who did not want to be named, said: “The law is being used to frighten minorities. Instead of waiting for a court’s judgment, police declare them guilty in advance.”
Ahmed has not yet given his side of the story, and his family could not be reached for comment. Police say further investigation is underway.
