Indore (Madhya Pradesh): A 35-year-old woman was murdered for allegedly refusing to adopt Islam as her religion. The crime was reported from Madhya Pradesh’s Burhanpur district on Saturday.
According to information, the victim, Bhagyashree Namdev Dhanuk (35), a resident of Navara under Nepanagar police station jurisdiction, was stabbed multiple times at her residence. Her throat was also slit, leading to her on the spot death.
Upon receiving the report, police from the Nepanagar station quickly arrived at the scene and took the accused, custody for questioning.
The accused was identified as Sheikh Raees (42), who allegedly used to torment the victim to convert and marry him.
A case was registered under the murder and Atrocity Act, and authorities are exploring additional charges if evidence of coercion is found, said SP Devendra Kumar Patidar.
Family, Hindu organisations demand action
SP Patidar and ASP Kanesh visited the crime scene the following morning to oversee the investigation. Family members of the victim expressed their anger, alleging that Raees had continuously harassed Bhagyashree and pressured her to convert to his religion.
According to the deceased's sister, "Raees used to grab her by the hair, beat her, and harass her. He had been pressuring her for marriage and religious conversion for a long time. When my sister refused, he entered our house at night and slit her throat," she said.
Hindu organisations protested along with the affected family members, demanding strict action against the accused and calling for the demolition of his house. They believe the murder was linked to love jihad.
The police are investigating the case from various angles.
