UP boy working in J&K rescued before alleged religious conversion, probe ordered

A joint team from Uttar Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir police brought a minor boy back to Bijnor from Kupwara. The rescue has intensified the investigation into the alleged conversion network and others linked to the case.

In Short

• Probe launched into alleged religious conversion of 17-year-old salon worker
• Teen reportedly brought from Ganderbal to Kupwara before police intervention
• Father alleges cleric made teenager recite “kalma” at Ganderbal mosque

Uttar Pradesh Police and their Jammu and Kashmir counterparts, in a joint operation, rescued a boy from Kupwara and brought him back to Bijnor amid allegations of religious conversion to Islam. Authorities have also ordered a detailed probe into the alleged conversion of the 17-year-old boy, who had reportedly been sent from Uttar Pradesh’s Bijnor district to Ganderbal in Jammu and Kashmir to work at a local salon.

According to police officials, the boy had been brought to and was later traced to Kupwara. He had been brought to Kupwara from Ganderbal, where he had been working at a salon outlet.

A police team from Bijnor travelled to Jammu and Kashmir and, with assistance from local authorities, brought the minor back to Uttar Pradesh.

Officials described the action as a rescue operation, adding that further legal proceedings in the matter are underway.

Police said the teenager is currently being questioned to gather complete details about the incident and to determine the extent of the alleged conversion network and the involvement of other individuals.

The case came to light after the boy’s father, Krishna Kumar, a resident of Khanjahanpur Bahadur village in Bijnor, filed a complaint alleging that his son Vishal had been taken to Jammu and Kashmir around three years ago by Wasim, a resident of Kajiwala village, to work at a salon in Ganderbal.

According to the complaint, on May 15, a cleric at the Markazi Jamia mosque in Ganderbal allegedly made Vishal recite the “kalma”, following which his religion was changed.

Kumar claimed that during a phone conversation, Vishal told him that he had "come too far" and would not return to Hinduism.

Police officials said a video linked to the alleged conversion has also gone viral on social media.

The complainant further alleged that after the conversion, his son was given the new name Mohammad Hamza.

An FIR has been registered by Bijnor Police against Wasim and several unidentified persons.

Officials said the investigation is focused on uncovering the alleged conversion network and identifying all those connected to the case.

Meanwhile, Kupwara Police had earlier registered a separate case to probe the allegations.

Authorities in both Uttar Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir said further investigation is underway.

- Ends
With PTI inputs