Police question Pilibhit Qazi as probe widens, STF takeover likely
Pilibhit: In a significant development, Lucknow Police on Monday questioned a Muslim cleric serving as the city Qazi of Pilibhit district in connection with the alleged sexual exploitation and religious conversion case involving a junior resident doctor of King George’s Medical University (KGMU).
Allegations Linked to KGMU Doctor
The case pertains to serious allegations levelled by a woman doctor, who accused her colleague of concealing his marital status, sexually exploiting her on the promise of marriage, forcing her to undergo an abortion, threatening her, and pressuring her to convert her religion.
Legal Angle Under Conversion Law
Police said they are examining whether a marriage allegedly linked to the cleric was conducted in accordance with legal procedures and the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021. Investigators are also probing if the case points to a larger organised conversion network.
Qazi Denies Wrongdoing
Speaking to reporters, the cleric said he fully cooperated with the investigation and shared all details related to the marriage he had solemnised. He denied any wrongdoing, claiming that the woman who filed the complaint in Lucknow was not the one whose ‘nikah’ he conducted.
Marriage Conducted With Consent, Claims Cleric
The Qazi stated that he solemnised the ‘nikah’ of the accused doctor and a Hindu woman at his residence in March last year, in the presence of the woman’s parents and brother and with their consent. He maintained that no religious conversion took place and that the ‘nikahnama’ mentioned the woman’s original Hindu name.
KGMU Informs Chief Minister
Meanwhile, KGMU spokesperson K K Singh said the university administration has kept the Uttar Pradesh government informed. Vice Chancellor Sonia Nityanand reportedly briefed Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow about the developments and the action initiated by the university.
Vishakha Committee Finds Prima Facie Truth
Official sources said the university’s internal inquiry, including a report by the Vishakha Committee, has prima facie found the allegations against the accused doctor to be true. Based on these findings, KGMU has decided to expel the accused from the MD course.
STF Probe on the Cards
The accused doctor was arrested on January 10 following the complaint. Police said further investigation is underway to establish the sequence of events and the involvement of others named in the case. Officials added that the probe may be handed over to the state’s Special Task Force as authorities assess possible links to a wider network.
