When criminal law is allegedly used as a tool of pressure to compel marriage and religious conversion, what protection does a man have when threats of a rape case are used to force him into marriage and religious conversion?
UTTAR PRADESH: A serious case has emerged from Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh, raising concerns about coercion, misuse of law, and lack of protection for men in such situations. A police constable has alleged that he was forced into religious conversion and marriage under threat and blackmail.
The case was registered at Khekra police station after the constable, Shrikant, who is posted with Dial 112 services, filed a complaint. According to him, he met the accused woman in 2022 while he was posted in Ghaziabad.
The constable has stated that over time, the woman started pressuring him to change his religion and marry her. When he refused, the situation reportedly escalated.
As per his complaint, the woman allegedly threatened him with a false rape case. Under this pressure, he claims he was forced to convert his religion and enter into marriage against his will. He further alleged continuous blackmail even after the marriage.
The complaint also mentions that the woman took him to a mosque in Delhi where documents related to religious conversion were prepared. He was also allegedly forced to take part in religious activities and join a Jamaat.
Police officials have confirmed that the case has been registered under relevant legal provisions, including the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, and the Information Technology Act.
Additional superintendent of police Praveen Singh Chauhan stated:
“The woman allegedly took the constable to a mosque in Delhi, where documents related to religious conversion were prepared.”
He further confirmed that the accused has been arrested and produced before the court.
The court has remanded the woman to judicial custody.
This case clearly reflects how threats of false criminal allegations can be used as a tool of coercion against men, forcing them into decisions like conversion and marriage against their will. It raises serious concerns about the lack of timely protection and legal safeguards for men who face such pressure, intimidation, and misuse of laws.
The matter is currently under investigation, and further legal proceedings will determine the outcome.
Explanatory Table: Laws And Provisions Involved
| Law / Provision | Purpose | How Applied in This Case |
| Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021 | To prohibit religious conversion through force, fraud, coercion, or threat | Applied as the constable alleged he was forced to convert religion under threat of a false rape case |
| Indian Penal Code, 1860 – Section 384 (Extortion) | Punishes obtaining anything of value through threats or fear | Relevant as the complainant alleged he was forced into marriage and conversion under threat and pressure |
| Indian Penal Code, 1860 – Section 503/506 (Criminal Intimidation) | Punishes threats to cause harm, including false criminal implication | Applied as the woman allegedly threatened to implicate him in a false rape case |
| Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 | Protects SC/ST individuals from harassment, intimidation, and exploitation | Applied based on allegations involving caste-related aspects in the complaint |
| Information Technology Act, 2000 (Relevant Sections) | Addresses misuse of electronic communication for threats, blackmail, or harassment | Applicable if threats or blackmail were made through digital platforms or electronic communication |
Case Details
- Case Title: State vs Accused Woman
- Court: Magistrate Court, Baghpat
- FIR Registered At: Khekra Police Station, Baghpat
- Complainant: Constable Shrikant (Dial 112)
- Status: Accused arrested and remanded to judicial custody
Key Takeaways
- Threat of false criminal cases is increasingly being alleged as a tool to coerce men into relationships, marriage, or other personal decisions.
- Existing legal frameworks largely focus on protection from offences, but often lack balanced safeguards against misuse affecting men.
- Coercion through intimidation, including threats of serious allegations, raises serious concerns about consent and voluntariness in relationships.
- There is a growing need for gender-neutral application of laws to ensure equal protection against harassment, blackmail, and forced actions.
- Legal awareness and timely access to remedies remain critical for men facing pressure, as delayed action often worsens the situation.
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