indore-woman-alleges-love-jihad-by-bihar-husband-md-shahbaz

An Indore woman has alleged that her husband from Bihar subjected her to both mental and physical harassment after pressuring her to eat beef and convert to her religion, in what she described as a case of ‘love jihad’.

 

She approached police in Begusarai seeking to return to her hometown, while the husband has denied all allegations.

 

The woman, Aarti Kumari, told authorities she met Mohammad Shahbaz, a resident of Begusarai, through Facebook five years ago. After a period of online friendship, she said she travelled to Bihar and married him.

 

“After marriage, he tried to force me to convert and eat beef,” Aarti alleged. “He deleted pictures of Hindu gods from my phone and physically assaulted me when I refused.”

 

Aarti also claimed that Shahbaz misrepresented himself on social media. “He said he was a gold and silver trader. But in reality, he only makes garlands in a shop,” she said. She alleged that over time he began mistreating her and made it clear he no longer wished to be with her.

 

Following these events, Aarti approached the Begusarai Superintendent of Police and was directed to the women’s police station. She did not file a formal complaint but submitted a written request to be sent back to Indore. A medical examination was also conducted.

 

“I have had no contact with my family since I got married. They consider me dead,” she said. “I just want to go home.”

 

In response, Shahbaz denied all accusations. He claimed Aarti had been married before and had three children. “She cannot have children anymore due to an operation. She also has relations with other men and has run away from home three times in five years,” he said.

 

He further added, “Why would I ask someone who cannot even read to eat beef or read the Quran?” Shahbaz has requested the district administration to free him from his marriage, calling the allegations baseless.

 

Sadar Deputy Superintendent of Police, Subodh Kumar, confirmed that Aarti had approached them.

 

“She did not file an official complaint against her husband but gave a written request at the women’s police station asking to return to Indore. She has been moved to a women’s shelter, and the process of sending her home is underway,” he said.