Uttar Pradesh; A 21-year-old woman from Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, named Ritika Kushwaha, has accused her elder brother, Rahul Kushwaha, and his purported wife, Rubaiya (also referred to as Rubia or Rubiya), of pressuring her to convert to Islam and forcing her to marry an elderly man from Kolkata. The incident has drawn significant attention, with legal action initiated and ongoing investigations.
Details of the Allegations: Background: Ritika, a resident of Rajapur Uchwaghadi under the Cantonment police station in Prayagraj, belongs to the Kushwaha family. Her father, Ramesh Kushwaha, passed away due to illness, and her mother suffers from mental health issues. Rahul, the eldest brother, took responsibility for the household. In May 2023, after serving five years in prison for a criminal case, Rahul brought Rubaiya, the wife of his jailed friend Ejaz, to their home, introducing her as his partner. Rubaiya is a mother of two, and her husband remains incarcerated.
Alleged Harassment: Ritika claims that after Rubaiya moved in, she and Rahul interfered with the family’s Hindu religious practices, prohibiting prayers to Hindu deities. They allegedly pressured Ritika to convert to Islam and marry an elderly Muslim man from Kolkata. When she resisted, they threatened to kill her, and Ritika suspected their intent was to sell her.
Additional Claims: Ritika’s elder sister, Kanchan, who visited from Jaipur, supported her claims, stating that Rahul had become violent and abusive, adopting Islamic practices like wearing a cap and visiting dargahs. Ritika also alleged that her younger sister died due to similar pressure from Rahul and Rubaiya, though details about this death are unclear. Another brother, Kunal, claimed Rahul tried to force him to convert and took him to a dargah, and that Rahul moves with a group of goons, intimidating the family.BULLMER Trendy Clothing Set with Shirt & Pants Co-ords for Men
Escape and Complaint: On July 29, 2025, Ritika and Kanchan fled the house and approached senior police officials for protection. Ritika filed a complaint, alleging harassment and forced conversion attempts.also read: Good news for policyholders: Insurance claims cannot be rejected just because a column was left blank, rules NCDRC – Here are the details.
Legal and Police Action: Arrest and Investigation: Rubaiya was arrested on August 16, 2025, while Rahul remains absconding. The Prayagraj Cantonment police registered an FIR against Rahul and Rubaiya under Sections 298 (injuring or defiling a place of worship with intent to insult a religion), 351 (criminal intimidation), and 352 (intentional insult to provoke breach of peace) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with provisions of Uttar Pradesh’s anti-conversion law. The police, led by Station House Officer S.K. Kannojia, are investigating potential involvement of a larger gang or racket, given Rahul’s criminal history, which includes a 2021 bomb case in Daraganj.
Police Statement: DCP (City) Abhishek Bharti confirmed that a detailed report was sought from the local police, and strong legal action is promised. The investigation is ongoing to verify the allegations and locate Rahul.