A distressing case has emerged from Prayagraj involving the manipulation and attempted conversion of a minor Dalit girl. The police have arrested two suspects—Daraksha Bano and Mohammad Kaif. Efforts are underway to expose the full extent of this network, as authorities suspect they have ensnared other victims before. Currently, a brave escapee recounts her harrowing ordeal.
Let's delve into the complete story...
According to available information, the 15-year-old victim had attended a wedding on May 8, only to vanish by 10:00 PM. Reports indicate she met with Daraksha Bano, a resident of her village. Bano tempted her with money and lauded Islam, subsequently summoning Mohammad Kaif to join them on a journey that led the girl away.
Mohammad Kaif was the man who transported Bano and the minor to the Prayagraj Junction on his bike. From there, Bano and the girl boarded a train for Delhi, ultimately catching another train headed to Thrissur, Kerala. Throughout the journey, Bano made continuous calls to an individual named Taj Mohammad, declaring her arrival with a girl in tow.
The Victim's Harrowing Account
According to the victim, she was taken to a house in Thrissur filled with other minor girls and men sporting heavy beards. There, she faced intense pressure to convert and overheard discussions of jihad training, prompting fear to grip her.
The Prayagraj police revealed that Daraksha is linked to a Kerala module purportedly offering minors cash enticements to undergo conversion and jihad training. Currently, Taj Mohammad, one of the handlers, is under police watch. The initial details have been shared with Kerala police, who are searching for Taj Mohammad in Thrissur.
UP Police Arrests Two; Investigation Heats Up in Kerala
In response, Prayagraj's Phulpur police have registered a case based on the victim's family's reports, arresting Daraksha Bano from Tilhat village and her accomplice Mohammad Kaif. The FIR includes charges of threats, abduction, and caste-based abuse. Preliminary investigations suggest that Daraksha is part of a gang preying on girls from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, offering money and subsequently manipulating them into conversion. The gang has been implicated in anti-national activities.
DCP Gangapur, Kuldeep Singh Gunawat, stated that the investigation covers all angles. The capture of additional suspects could reveal further details. Authorities are meticulously analyzing mobile communications for new leads.
